Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Nick Sheepak, N-I-C-S-H-E-P-A-C, and the Nevada State Director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center
• They come in and they just don't have access to the types of clothing we wear in this building.
• That's an aggressive type of thing that this isn't really trying to address.
• C, which is deprive an animal of necessary sustenance, food, or drink. That would clearly apply.
• My name is Drew Cross, D-R-E-W C-R-O-S-S, and I'm the State Forensic Program Director.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The registration types of the 248 MPs that reported C, E, G—248 out of 1,992. Why is that?
• The registration types of the 248 MPs that reported C, e, G 248 out of. 1023 Why is that?
• And are any of these C, E, G-type batteries, inverters, transformers, do any of those have any kind of
• And are any of these C, E, G-type batteries, inverters, transformers, do any of those have any kind of
• And are any of these c, e, g type the batteries, inverters, transformers, do 1223 any of those have any

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:03:33.920><c> Umc><00:03:34.560><c> andc><00:03:35.599><c> uhc><00:03:36.159><c> Ic><
• c><00:05:10.400><c> thatc><00:05:10.720><c> ifc><00:05:10.880><c> wec><00:05:11.120><c> waitc
• c><00:05:29.840><c> Soc><00:05:30.000><c> wec><00:05:30.240><c> wantc><00:05:30.320><c> toc
• c> certainc><01:24:24.800><c> typec><01:24:24.960><c> ofc> expertise in certain certain type of
• expertise in certain certain type of animals.<01:24:25.520><c> Andc><01:24:25.679><c> that'sc><01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:23.799><c> ofc><00:01:24.000><c> thec><00:01:24.119><c> endc><00:01:24.280><c> ofc
• typesc><00:39:00.680><c> ofc><00:39:00.920><c> casesc><00:39:01.280><c> andc><00:39:01.440><
• c> it'sc> these types of cases and it's these types of cases and it's unnecessary<00:39:02.480><c>
• ><c> expungec><01:15:09.239><c> thosec><01:15:10.239><c> typesc><01:15:10.639><c> ofc> to expunge
• those types of to expunge those types of cases<01:15:13.400><c> youc><01:15:13.639><c> youc><01:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> typec><00:54:00.400><c> ofc><00:54:00.480><c> thing.
• c><00:54:00.720><c> They'vec> >> And so same same type of thing.
• ><c> withoutc><01:28:49.280><c> anyc><01:28:49.679><c> typec><01:28:50.000><c> ofc><01:28:50.560
• ><c> umc><01:28:51.920><c> uhc> to take it out without any type of um uh to take it out without any
• type of um uh confusion<01:28:53.440><c> thatc><01:28:53.760><c> hasc><01:28:54.080><c> beenc>

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 29 members present. The chamber adopted routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The Committee on Banking and Insurance reported Senate Bill 269 favorably with a substitute, and the bill was placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. The Senate also welcomed several guest groups in the gallery, including homeschool families, Blount County leaders, and the Alabama Iron and Steel Council. A series of resolutions were introduced and adopted immediately. Senator Stewart’s Joint Resolution 64 honored Joanne Blackman Bland, recognizing her role as a young freedom fighter on Bloody Sunday and later work in voting rights and economic development. The Senate also adopted Joint Resolution 65 congratulating Maplesville High School on its 2025 Class 1A state football championship and Joint Resolution 66 honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Alabama. The Senate then took up local legislation and several calendar bills. Senate Bill 319 for Shelby County, House Bill 460 and House Bill 459 for Henry County, and House Bill 467 regarding the city of Tuscumbia were all advanced and passed, with certification motions adopted where required. The Rules Committee reported Senate Resolution 67, setting the special order calendar, which the Senate adopted. The special order calendar included bills on corrections, services evaluation, retirement benefits, the Growing Alabama Act, health, vessels, homestead exemption, the National Guard, the state port, early childhood education, tourism investment, pardons and paroles, and health-related matters. Under the special order calendar, the Senate passed House Bill 274 on Department of Corrections unmanned aircraft systems, Senate Bill 317 creating the Commission on the Evaluation of Services, House Bill 159 cleaning up retirement provisions for certain circuit clerks, Senate Bill 289 revising the Growing Alabama Act, and House Bill 182 requiring military education to count toward EMS licensure. The chamber also considered House Bill 254 on vessel inspections, with discussion focused on limiting law enforcement stops and boarding of vessels for safety or marine sanitation inspections absent another reason; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:28.560><c> Movingc><00:01:28.960><c> onc><00:01:29.520><c> onc><00:01:29.840><c> Senate
• clarifyc><00:47:21.599><c> whichc><00:47:21.920><c> typesc><00:47:22.240><c> ofc><00:47:22.480
• ><c> projectsc><00:47:22.880><c> arec> to clarify which types of projects are to clarify which types
• :46.560><c> catchc><01:35:46.960><c> andc><01:35:47.199><c> thatc><01:35:47.360><c> typec> licenses
• and track catch and that type licenses and track catch and that type of<01:35:47.679><c> thing.

Bills: SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, burial sites, DHHL, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, section 6E-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources, archaeology, land use review, environmental review, state historic preservation officer, Hawaiian home lands, project permits, consultation, concurrence, nonconcurrence

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony. SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions. The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Umc><00:03:48.080><c> soc><00:03:48.480><c> todayc><00:03:48.720><c> Ic><00:03:48.959><c
• So, we can educate them<00:56:11.760><c> onc><00:56:12.000><c> thatc><00:56:12.319><c> typec><00
• c> them on that type of stuff, too. them on that type of stuff, too.
• ,c><01:20:04.080><c> withinc><01:20:04.480><c> thisc><01:20:04.640><c> typec><01:20:04.800><c
• > ofc> auditing, you know, within this type of auditing, you know, within this type of workforce.<01

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:29 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:50 Kentucky Buy American Act: 00:02:08 Earn As You Learn: KY Building Trades Apprenticeship: 00:30:42 Worker Misclassification in the Construction Industry: 01:02:00 Investing in KY’s Future Workforce Through the Good Business Initiative: 01:20:44 Adjournment: 01:28:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns. Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail. The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:10.639><c> Withc><00:06:10.800><c> thec><00:06:11.039><c> reportc><00:06:11.600><c> intact
• c><00:12:06.399><c> ac><00:12:06.560><c> lotc><00:12:06.720><c> toc><00:12:07.040><c> toc><
• c><00:12:11.440><c> Umc><00:12:11.760><c> canc><00:12:11.920><c> Ic><00:12:12.000><c> takec
• ><c> typec><01:47:11.199><c> ofc><01:47:11.440><c> newc> others to ensure some type of new others
• to ensure some type of new industry<01:47:12.239><c> goingc><01:47:12.560><c> intoc><01:47:12.800

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:07.400><c> inc><00:04:07.519><c> ac><00:04:07.680><c> casec><00:04:07.959><c> recently
• ><c> thosec><01:24:35.800><c> typec><01:24:35.960><c> ofc><01:24:36.159><c> proceedingsc> accommodates
• those type of proceedings accommodates those type of proceedings it<01:24:37.040><c> doesn'tc><01:
• 26:42.199><c> includesc><01:26:43.080><c> everyc><01:26:43.400><c> otherc><01:26:43.679><c> type
• c><01:26:43.840><c> ofc> point it includes every other type of point it includes every other type

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:04:27.199><c> rulec><00:04:28.320><c> andc><00:04:28.560><c> Ic><00:04:28.800><c> amc>
• :26:46.320><c> thosec><00:26:46.640><c> typesc><00:26:46.799><c> ofc> foster and adoption um those
• types of foster and adoption um those types of services<00:26:47.360><c> atc><00:26:47.520><c> CHFS
• typesc><00:32:05.600><c> ofc><00:32:05.840><c> things.
• c><00:32:06.159><c> I'vec><00:32:06.399><c> seenc><00:32:06.720><c> otherc> those types of things

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15 Office of the Secretary of State 00:01:59 Office of the Attorney General 00:12:40 Department of Agriculture 00:22:44, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:00:57.360><c> Uhc><00:00:58.000><c> yes,c><00:00:58.399><c> Chairc><00:00:58.719><c> Eric
• type<00:52:39.200><c> wouldc><00:52:39.440><c> be,c><00:52:39.920><c> um,c><00:52:40.160><c> something
• c><00:52:40.480><c> Ic><00:52:40.640><c> thinkc> type would be, um, something I think type would
• c><01:01:01.119><c> ac><01:01:01.359><c> newc><01:01:01.520><c> typec><01:01:01.680><c> ofc><
• 01:01:01.839><c> fraudc> group to look into a new type of fraud group to look into a new type of fraud

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• 22:31.200><c> doc><00:22:31.440><c> thisc><00:22:31.679><c> typec><00:22:31.840><c> ofc><00:22
• :32.000><c> workc><00:22:32.880><c> havec> lawyers who do this type of work have lawyers who do this
• type of work have vetted<00:22:33.840><c> thisc><00:22:34.240><c> billc><00:22:35.039><c> forc
• :39:00.079><c> typec><00:39:00.320><c> ofc><00:39:01.119><c> theyc><00:39:01.359><c> wouldc><
• 00:39:01.680><c> probablyc> receive some type of they would probably receive some type of they would

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• manc><00:01:22.079><c> allc><00:01:22.159><c> thec><00:01:22.240><c> wayc><00:01:22.360><c>
• c> typec><00:59:11.920><c> ofc><00:59:12.480><c> positionc> will look at the the type of position
• will look at the the type of position that<00:59:13.280><c> isc><00:59:13.400><c> neededc><00:59
• > thatc><00:59:16.799><c> typec><00:59:16.960><c> ofc><00:59:17.200><c> positionc> salary range
• for that type of position salary range for that type of position and<00:59:17.880><c> thenc><00:59

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for its first 2025 meeting, with co-chairs Senator Marty and Senator Pratt opening the session and members and staff introducing themselves. No bills were heard; the meeting was focused on orientation and on reviewing the committee’s budget rules for the new biennium. Committee members and staff from both caucuses, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), and legislative fiscal offices were introduced before the presentation began. MMB fiscal staff Brian D. and committee fiscal staff explained that budget rules are a nonbinding agreement between MMB and House and Senate fiscal staff that guides how fiscal proposals are tracked and understood. They reviewed the history of the rules, noting that the current document reflects the most substantial update since the rules were first adopted in the early 2000s, and that the 2025 version was reorganized into eight sections after extensive interim work by House, Senate, and MMB staff. The presenters emphasized that the rules are updated annually, are intended to promote consistent fiscal tracking and transparent communication, and are used as guidance for budget bills rather than as law. The presentation highlighted several substantive rule areas: general tracking rules and comparison points for budget documents; appropriation drafting guidance; treatment of transfers, revenues, and inflation; planning estimates and “budget tails”; and rules for extending, canceling, or reappropriating existing appropriations. Staff also described new or revised provisions, including guidance on understanding current-law changes, using Department of Revenue estimates for tax revenue, and treating inflation in the forecast as a general pressure estimate rather than appropriated dollars. The committee was asked to review the updated rules, but no vote or formal action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> thec><00:42:29.680><c> uniquec><00:42:30.120><c> typec><00:42:30.720><c> ofc><00:42:31.520
• ><c> umc><00:42:31.960><c> geologyc> looking at the unique type of um geology looking at the unique
• type of um geology we<00:42:32.880><c> havec><00:42:33.840><c> uhc><00:42:34.000><c> inc><00:42
• ><c> typec><00:42:49.120><c> ofc><00:42:49.240><c> transmissionc><00:42:49.920><c> linesc> we
• need those type of transmission lines we need those type of transmission lines to<00:42:51.040><c> carry

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49.599><c> usedc><00:02:49.920><c> toc><00:02:50.000><c> bec><00:02:50.239><c> clerkc> able
• c><00:02:52.560><c> sheenc><00:02:53.080><c> willc><00:02:54.080><c> takec><00:02:54.400><c>
• /c><00:02:58.560><c> thec><00:02:58.879><c> planc><00:02:59.360><c> asc><00:02:59.680><c> itc
• c><00:06:18.240><c> wherec><00:06:18.560><c> thec><00:06:19.120><c> uhc><00:06:19.280><c> RNc
• thatc><01:34:17.600><c> typec> Yep.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove supervision of the legislative facilities committee nurse from the Department of Health and Human Services and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice and the Nurse Practice Act. Ryan Maliti introduced the bill for Senator Pearl, and John Williams of DHHS explained that the current statutory language is outdated, dating back to 1995, and improperly gives medical supervisory authority to a non-clinician. He said the change would align the statute with current practice and that the department, the Joint Legislative Committee’s chief operating officer, and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification were all comfortable with the language. Committee members asked about the need for the change and confirmed the old supervisory language was no longer being meaningfully used. The chair closed the hearing on SB 197, noting there may be additional amendments before final action. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, which would authorize the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. Max Taylor, speaking for Senator Rashardi, described Bradley’s long public service and urged the committee to move the bill. Members asked whether the portrait was completed, where it would be displayed, and how size and placement would be determined. Taylor said the portrait had not yet been commissioned but would be paid for by Bradley, and that the exact location had not been set. Committee members and staff noted that the Joint Historical Committee is already working on portrait placement and space issues, and that the bill may need to be coordinated with broader updates to the statutes governing portraits and memorials. The committee also heard Senate Bill 200, introduced by Senator Reardon, to allow the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and hang a portrait of former Senator Sylvia Larson. Reardon and Donna Susi, who painted the portrait and had served as Larson’s chief of staff, gave strong testimony about Larson’s legislative record, leadership as Senate President, and bipartisan service. Members asked about the portrait’s status, size, and where it would be displayed; witnesses said the portrait was completed, framed, and currently stored in a box pending approval, and that the committee would decide placement. In the later work session, the chair used the two portrait bills to discuss broader problems in the statutes and the Joint Historical Committee’s responsibilities, including possible size limits, placement rules, and whether New Hampshire should adopt practices used in other states such as waiting periods or moratoriums on portraits. No votes were taken during the work session, but members discussed using the bills as vehicles for larger statutory cleanup.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> Ic><00:27:30.080><c> movec><00:27:30.240><c> thec><00:27:30.400><c> journalc> that, Madam
• /c><00:31:30.480><c> allc><00:31:30.720><c> ofc><00:31:30.799><c> youc><00:31:30.960><c> onc>
• c> ac> different types of programs whereas a different types of programs whereas a network<00:58:06.240
• ><c> samec><00:58:07.359><c> typec><00:58:07.680><c> ofc> network they all have the same type of
• network they all have the same type of uh<00:58:08.720><c> programc><00:58:09.040><c> andc><00:58

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 24.599><c> inc><00:02:24.800><c> supportc><00:02:25.760><c> andc><00:02:26.120><c> Pacificc>
• :11.639><c> thesec> with a plan and plan ahead in these with a plan and plan ahead in these types<00
• :05:12.039><c> ofc><00:05:12.479><c> umc><00:05:12.680><c> emergencyc> types of um emergency types
• c><00:51:10.680><c> uhc><00:51:10.799><c> forc><00:51:11.079><c> anyc><00:51:11.400><c> type<
• /c> done uh more than likely uh for any type done uh more than likely uh for any type of<00:51:11.920

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> thatc><00:06:05.919><c> Ic><00:06:06.080><c> we'vec><00:06:06.400><c> alreadyc> that ALI
• c><00:06:17.680><c> Isc><00:06:17.919><c> isc><00:06:18.160><c> allc><00:06:18.400><c> inc>
• c><00:06:44.960><c> Uhc><00:06:45.840><c> SBc><00:06:46.560><c> 272c><00:06:48.000><c> hasc
• /c><00:52:31.520><c> typec><00:52:31.839><c> ofc><00:52:32.000><c> ac><00:52:32.960><c> situation
• c> nature into this type of a situation nature into this type of a situation because<00:52:33.839><

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:06:51.600><c> Itc><00:06:51.840><c> trulyc><00:06:52.160><c> isc><00:06:52.400><c> ac
• nape scores look like what do our other national<00:52:47.200><c> normc><00:52:47.599><c> typec>
• c> national norm type tests look like to national norm type tests look like to say<00:52:49.119><c> okay
• c> identifyc><00:58:02.559><c> anyc><00:58:02.799><c> typec><00:58:02.960><c> ofc> course if
• districts identify any type of course if districts identify any type of concerns<00:58:03.680><c> we're

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 44, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, which would create a robotics program trust fund and a robotics funding selection committee through the Kentucky Department of Education. Supporters, including Kentucky First Robotics executive director Kelly Gowen and students from Whitfield Academy, said the bill would expand hands-on robotics education in high schools, connect students to manufacturing and engineering careers, and help meet workforce needs. The proposal would fund grants for coach stipends, competition fees, kits, supplies, and related expenses, and Lewis requested a one-time $500,000 appropriation along with private contributions from manufacturers. The students demonstrated their robot and described how robotics programs teach coding, design, manufacturing, and competition skills. The committee took no questions and approved HB 44 with a favorable expression of opinion for passage on the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 253, sponsored by Representative James Tipton, which would phase out the use of three-cueing reading instruction and require greater alignment with the science of reading. Tipton said the bill builds on the 2022 Read to Succeed law and would prohibit three cueing in public schools by the 2029-2030 school year, while also barring public university teacher prep programs from teaching it beginning in 2027-2028. He and Kentucky Department of Education officials said the bill is intended to shift instruction toward phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, and to expand professional learning for teachers through LETRS and other options. KDE testified that enforcement would focus on support rather than punishment, using literacy coaches, regional support staff, and MTSS specialists to help districts transition. Members discussed the bill’s delayed implementation, the evidence against three cueing, and whether reading recovery should be excluded from approved interventions. Supporters cited studies and brain research they said show three cueing can hurt later reading performance, while several members emphasized the need for teacher flexibility and support. Representative Jackson noted Kentucky’s 2025 NAEP third-grade reading ranking of fourth in the nation as evidence that current efforts are helping. Representative Truett and others raised concerns about how the bill would affect classroom practice and intervention strategies, and Tipton and KDE said the goal is to align instruction with evidence-based methods rather than punish educators. The transcript ends during continued discussion of reading recovery and related instructional approaches, with no final vote on HB 253 shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:07:33.360><c> goc><00:07:33.640><c> toc><00:07:34.080><c> thec><00:07:34.200><c> nextc
• <c> thesec><00:48:10.920><c> evenc><00:48:11.160><c> thec><00:48:11.240><c> typesc><00:48:11.480
• ><c> ofc> to are these even the types of to are these even the types of businesses<00:48:12.160><c>
• ><c> whoc><01:01:54.480><c> havec><01:01:55.000><c> thisc><01:01:55.160><c> typec><01:01:55.360
• ><c> ofc><01:01:55.440><c> accountc> people who have this type of account people who have this type

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Tax Expenditure Review Commission met on June 17, 2026, approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, and then adopted updated commission procedures. The procedural changes, presented by Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson, required a quorum of voting members to complete evaluations before a formal recommendation vote, and allowed members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting. The commission approved the revised procedures by roll call vote, with five ayes and four excused. The commission then reviewed member evaluation summaries for tax expenditures presented in December 2025 and January 2026. It first considered the alcoholic beverage tax credits for small brewers and microdistilleries, and after discussion voted to recommend repeal of those two expenditures, while leaving the small winery credit for a later meeting because it lacked enough member responses under the new procedures. The vote on the repeal recommendation passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marquart voting no. The commission next approved the lawful gambling bundle, which included bingo, raffle, and related exemptions. Larson reported that most members recommended continuation for each item, and the commission voted to recommend continuing all six lawful gambling expenditures. It then reviewed the residential utility services bundle—residential heating fuels, residential water services, and sewer services—where members generally favored continuation but several noted possible modifications or caps for higher-income users; the commission voted to recommend continuation of the bundle. Finally, the commission reviewed the data center equipment sales tax exemption, which Larson said had an estimated annual revenue loss of $95 million and was intended to create jobs in construction and data center industries. Members raised questions about its effectiveness and whether the exemption should be modified or capped, but the commission ultimately voted to recommend continuation. The meeting concluded with these recommendations set to be included in the commission’s 2026 annual report.