Transcript Highlights:

• Can we do the amendment by a All right.
• There's no amendment. Right. There's no amendment. Right.
• Maybe you want to vote on the amendment Maybe you want to vote on the amendment first. first. first
• So that's the amendment >> All right.
• <04:41:40.080> is moved right now but amendment 1201 is moved right now but amendment 1201

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the men amended amendment. >> Thank you.
• We're still on the amendment. The amendment as amended.
• The amendment as amended is accepted. Now we're back on the bill as amended.
• Thank you to any amendments here. All right. Questions on the bill as amended.
• We've got the right one here, right? And I please please raise your right hand.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Assembly Member, we have a first and second. Would you like to offer close?
• All right. Assembly Member, we have a first and second. Would you like to offer close?
• on the protection of First Amendment rights, and ensure that the timeline for implementation is extended
• we need guidelines to ensure that they do not face persecution for simply exercising their First Amendment
• Amendment rights as part of this and clarifying that this bill would not supersede anyone's First Amendment

Summary: The committee met to hear seven Senate bills, first approving two consent items, SB 352 and SB 804, on motions to do pass to Appropriations. SB 542 (Limón) would require public notice and comment before issuing a financial responsibility certificate for an oil pipeline and require hydrostatic testing before restarting pipelines idle for five years or more; it was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity and passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 616 (Rubio) would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to coordinate wildfire mitigation and insurance-related recommendations; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and several local and industry groups, while water agencies, special districts, and the building industry raised concerns about water infrastructure standards, and it passed on a due-pass motion to Insurance. SB 429 (Cortese), which would establish a public wildfire catastrophe model and related university-based research and education program, received support from the Department of Insurance and outside groups and passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 256 (Perez) would strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency response by expanding planning, improving PSPS communication, requiring utility coordination with emergency centers, and directing removal of permanently abandoned electrical facilities; utilities and business groups were generally neutral after amendments, while the author emphasized the bill’s connection to recent wildfire losses, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 509 (Caballero) would require specialized training for local law enforcement on transnational repression targeting diaspora communities; it received support from the California Police Chiefs Association and immigrant-rights advocates, but drew extensive opposition from Hindu and civil-rights organizations concerned about bias, implementation, and First Amendment issues. Committee members discussed amendments to clarify cultural competency, diversity, and constitutional protections, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. After the hearing, the committee took final roll-call votes on the bills, with the consent items and SB 429, SB 256, and SB 509 moving forward, while SB 542 and SB 616 were also reported out on earlier motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we go through those that we get back to the Main Amendment so we will take up the first of the amendments
• All in favor of amendment say yea oppose nay. The amendment. The amendment is adopted.
• laws and finally religious freedom as protected in our First Amendment of the U.S.
• So you stay right where you are. You have your card. Thank you. Men were on the amendment.
• We're on the amendment. We have had appearance cards on the Amendment. Is amendment right. Okay.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You are recognized to close on the amendment. I waive close but you're right.
• All right. That is it for public. Just the amendment. Joe, we're just on the Mont. All right.
• Yes. >> The amendment as all right. So let's show the amendment reported favorably.
• All right. Without objection, we'll show that amendment adopted.
• Now we're back on the bill as amended any questions on the bill as amended. All right.

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't my amendment to the amendment doesn't my amendment to the amendment doesn't say<00:24:56.280
• So, I'm really curious as to why we're bringing this amendment today and right now, ...considering that
• . amendment. amendment.
• first? first?
• right? right?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill, which the author described as a bipartisan agreement. Representative Wolgamott highlighted a $1.5 million appropriation to Minnesota State to create an identification verification system to combat “ghost students,” a one-time $5,000 appropriation for trees at Bemidji State University, and other noncontroversial recommendations from the Office of Higher Education. He urged support for the bill and noted that amendments would be considered. The main debate centered on an amendment by Representative Rarick to change how University of Minnesota regents are selected if the legislature fails to elect them. Rarick argued the amendment would keep the governor from appointing regents outside the legislative vetting process and prevent “pay-to-play” or donor influence, citing recent gubernatorial appointments and campaign contributions. Representative Kotter offered a secondary amendment to require that any fallback appointees meet RCAC eligibility criteria and to bar candidates who had recently contributed to legislative caucuses or leadership; supporters said it would reduce the appearance of pay-to-play while preserving the RCAC process. Opponents of the secondary amendment, including Representatives Robbins and others, argued it did not address the real concern because it did not restrict contributions to the governor and would weaken the legislature’s role in regent selection. Supporters of the secondary amendment said it was a more objective, statute-based approach and raised separation-of-powers concerns with the underlying amendment. After debate, the secondary amendment failed on a 67-67 tie and was not adopted. The House then continued discussion on the underlying Rarick amendment, with members divided over legislative authority, gubernatorial appointment power, and the influence of campaign donations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on disability would
• inclusive possible Equal Rights inclusive possible Equal Rights Amendment<00:04:54.720> equal
• This amendment allows Minnesota the opportunity to cement the fact that reproductive rights are human
• This amendment allows Minnesota the opportunity to cement the fact that reproductive rights are human
• the inclusive erra the Equal Rights the inclusive erra the Equal Rights Amendment<00:15:35.319><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Other amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the first amendment.
• money and the right amounts can be sent to the right place at the right time.
• Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the First Amendment.
• Senator Gates, you are recognized to explain the First Amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.
• A lot of balance here, especially in that first amendment that we took up with regard to the stabilization

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 executive appointments. After explanation by Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gates, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties losing population, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care measures. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health provisions in light of a new federal rural health grant and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, while also asking about eligibility and access to grant funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision for later conforming legislation and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators from both parties supported the bill while raising concerns about accountability, student oversight, and school quality. The bill passed 38-0. Afterward, the Senate waived rules so SB 250 and CS/SB 318 could be immediately certified to the House. The session ended with announcements, including Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and a reminder about the chamber group photograph, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so, try to do this district boundary amendment through that process, right?
• that process, amendment through that process, right?
• <01:50:53.360> amendment would like to adopt the first amendment would like to adopt the first
• > testimony the first amendment and the testimony the first amendment and the testimony from<01:51
• First is a vote to reconsider, and then the second vote is to make amendments.

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:

• I also understand right that the vehicle taken to the safety check can be very much amended after for
• way it's drafted right now would make<00:51:20.240> a<00:51:20.400> first<00:51:20.640
• The first concern is that this bill raises First Amendment concerns under both the U.S. and Hawaii Constitutions
• first concern is that this bill raises first<01:08:56.400> amendment<01:08:57.199> um<
• 01:08:57.440> concerns<01:08:57.920> under<01:08:58.239> both first amendment um

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several vehicle and traffic safety measures. HB 2347, which would require the director of transportation to adopt rules allowing mobile vehicle safety inspections, drew support from DOT and individual testifiers who said it would add convenience and efficiency for passenger vehicle owners. Committee members questioned how home or driveway inspections would handle safety standards such as headlight checks and whether added convenience would come with higher costs; DOT also said it would follow up on inspection fees and audit procedures. HB 182, which would exempt motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections, received opposition from DOT, the Hawaii Police Department, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, with Grassroot Institute in support. HB 2022, which would equalize county and state annual vehicle registration fees, was opposed by the Hawaii Transportation Association because it would raise costs that would likely be passed on to consumers. The committee also took testimony on HB 1708, which would make operating a vehicle under the influence at a high intoxication level a class C felony and add probation requirements. Prosecutors, police, DOT, and the Honolulu customer services department supported the bill, while the Public Defender’s Office opposed it, arguing that it would increase court workload, require more defense resources, and create collateral consequences, including possible immigration impacts. Several witnesses and members discussed a proposed HD1 that would change the bill to a graduated penalty structure, making a first offense a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony, while also addressing deferred pleas and DUI deferrals. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill’s intent but warned that Oahu lacks a reliable electronic or telephonic warrant system, which could lead to more refusals and additional court impacts. HB 2086, which would amend negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, received support from DOT, county prosecutors, police, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Honolulu’s prosecutor supported the bill but recommended against the attached HD1, saying the current drafting better preserves negligent injury as a lesser included offense and avoids blending it with a separate statutory scheme. HB 2154, which would create a framework for intelligent speed assist technology and require a report to the legislature, was supported by DOT, county police, Smart Start LLC, AAA Hawaii, and others, with the Alliance for Automobile Innovation offering comments and proposed amendments. A testifier described the bill as a way to prevent repeat speeding by limiting vehicles from accelerating beyond the speed limit. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that right? Yes, Mr.
• My amendment is just a clarifying amendment from conversations with the CPAs.
• Any other questions on the amendment? All right, we'll...
• On the amendment, all right, we'll go ahead and go to our folks who want to speak.
• All will be right with the world. Nobody has to file an amended return.

Bills: SB1638

Keywords: taxation, income tax, internal revenue code, deductions, tax benefits, retroactive, standard deduction, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You passed it out, right? Okay, yeah, and I don't believe we received copies of the new amendment.
• You passed it out, right? Okay, yeah, and I don't believe we received copies of the new amendment.
• You passed it out, right? Okay, yeah, and I don't believe we received copies of the new amendment.
• You passed it out, right? Okay, yeah, and I don't believe we received copies of the new amendment.
• You passed it out, right? Okay, yeah, and I don't believe we received copies of the new amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, if there's no further testimony, first thanks to everyone who participated.
• All right, if there's no further testimony, first thanks to everyone who participated.
• All right, please call the roll. The motion is do pass as amended to Judiciary.
• First of all, recent amendments helped by clarifying privacy and discrimination harms.
• First of all, recent amendments helped by clarifying privacy and discrimination harms.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we're going to go to the amendment. All right. We're going to go to the amendment.
• One last one, then we're going to go to these amendments. All right.
• So first amendment up, A1, you are recognized to explain that amendment. One second, Mr. Chairman.
• All right, having explained the amendment, do we have questions on the amendment? No.
• All right, we are going to A1 adopted. All right. We are going to go to the second amendment, A2.

Summary: The committee first took up a local beverage-license bill for the World Equestrian Center in Marion County. The sponsor described the facility’s size, economic impact, and rapid expansion, and explained that the bill would direct DBPR to issue a special license for qualifying equestrian sports facilities. After questions about whether the carve-out would set a precedent for other businesses, the sponsor said the unique facts of the facility justified the bill. An amendment narrowed the off-premises alcohol authority so the license would allow beer and wine only for off-premises sales, while still allowing on-premises sales of all alcoholic beverages and a standalone bar on the premises. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-1, with Representative Rayner voting no. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1461, a broad regulatory-reform bill that would repeal continuing education requirements for certain licensed professionals, eliminate several boards/councils/commissions at DBPR and DACS, remove some secondary licenses, and expand licensure pathways. The sponsors argued that most complaints are already handled administratively, that the boards create bureaucracy and cost, and that the bill would improve efficiency without changing initial licensure standards. Members raised concerns about whether DBPR has the subject-matter expertise to replace professional boards, especially for engineering, harbor pilots, electrical work, home inspection, architecture, interior design, and related fields, and about whether removing continuing education could weaken public safety and code compliance. Public testimony on the PCS was mixed but leaned strongly against the bill from affected professions. Opponents from architecture, electrical contracting, home inspection, geology, interior design, real estate, and related groups argued that the boards provide technical expertise, discipline, and updated knowledge tied to changing building codes and safety standards, and that continuing education is important for public protection. Some supporters, including representatives of CPAs and landscape architects, said they appreciated efforts to streamline licensing and reduce anti-competitive barriers but still had concerns about specific provisions. The committee adopted two amendments: one requiring 30 days’ notice for an address change for a prescription sales business, and a second technical amendment. No final vote on the PCS was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we should be good, mad clerk. >> On the amendment and then the to pass as amended motion. >> Right
• The vote that's going to come up is going to be now on the amendment. >> Okay. >> Right.
• > amendment<00:23:50.480> is<00:23:51.120> passes, >> Right.
• And if the amendment is passes, >> Right.
• All right. So, the motion is passed 12 to 5. The amending motion passes 12 to 5.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first 54, right? Yeah. Oh, there are two of them. That's so cool. Um, okay. So, Mr.
• The the first 54, right? Geez. Yeah. The the first 54, right?
• any issues with this amendment? any issues with this amendment? All<01:39:16.800> right.
• If they amend the same statute, it would come down to effective date first.
• If they amend the same statute, it would come down to effective date first.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there. Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights. The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's read the Werner floor amendment. Werner floor amendment.
• All right.
• There is a Hatathlie floor amendment to the ATT amendment.
• I move the Hatathlie amendment be adopted. All right, brief explanation? Explain.
• Senator Farnsworth, the amendment as amended. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, the motion is to adopt the A5 amendment to Senate File 1455.
• Um, this A5 amendment... have to introduce yourself first. That's our special rule here.
• Chair, to my first amendment. I'd like to offer the A3 Amendment.
• amendment it's I'd chair to my first amendment it's I'd like<01:15:44.800> to<01:15:44.920>
• now on this reason I I'm a no vote right now on this amendment<01:27:20.480> thank<01:27:20.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, all right.
• There would need to be an amendment. Okay. Yeah, all right.
• members nope all right all right if not members nope all right all right if not we<01:21:18.639>
• Right. Thank you. Chair, any other questions? All right.
• also adopt the amendments of IBW suggested amendments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Show the amendment adopted. All right. We are now back on the strike-all as amended.
• Show the amendment adopted. All right. Now we are, let's see. Right. This one was allocated.
• I'll waive close on the amendment, Mr. Chair. All right.
• All right, we're on public testimony on the amendment. Debate on the amendment?
• All right, show the amendment is adopted. We are on the bill as amended. Let's see.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.