Transcript Highlights:

• apply it to counties where over 1% of the housing stock was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by disaster
• apply it to counties where over 1% of the housing stock was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by disaster

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 6, 2025, first in a joint session with the Committee on Labor and Technology. The joint committees heard SB 1235, which would create a Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation program for government employee housing, including a revolving fund and a leasehold rent-to-own program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, the Department of Budget and Finance, and UPW, with one testifier opposing the bill because it was limited to state workers and should be broader. The committees recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes, $450,000 for two positions, removal of an income restriction, and clarification that leasehold and day-one projects are eligible; both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously, and the joint meeting adjourned. The Housing Committee then took up SB 67, SB 1133, and SB 1333. SB 67 would bar inclusionary zoning requirements on certain housing offered for sale or rent to qualifying residents, and it received support from HHFDC, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others; the committee recommended passage with technical amendments and adopted it. SB 1133 would allow counties to set rent increase limits tied to CPI and create a long-term residential lease tax credit; testimony included support from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Realtors, NAIOP Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation, which warned about rent-control consequences. The committee recommended passage with amendments that made the credit nonrefundable, allowed limited carry-forward, restricted claims in certain family-lease situations, set filing deadlines, and applied the measure to disaster-affected counties; the recommendation was adopted. SB 1333 would allow certain counties to use surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure and extend the surcharge period. DBEDT, OPSD, HCDA, county officials, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, while the Tax Foundation opposed it, arguing temporary taxes were becoming permanent. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments, and members noted concerns that prior surcharge revenues had not produced enough housing projects, which were to be reflected in the committee report. Finally, the committee deferred SB 834 indefinitely because it had already been deferred indefinitely by the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and the Housing Committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to point out a couple things: kupuna are the most likely to die in every single disaster,

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on April 1, 2025, to hear one resolution, HCR 37, which asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work with other agencies on initiatives and outreach to help kupuna prepare for emergencies. Supporters, including AARP, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Be Ready Manoa, Aloha Care, and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, emphasized that older adults are especially vulnerable in disasters and pointed to the Lahaina fire as an example of the need for targeted preparedness efforts. They said the resolution would help focus outreach on kupuna, caregivers, and others who may need assistance. No opposition was presented, and there were no questions from members. The committee moved to decision making and recommended passing HCR 37 as is. The measure was approved unanimously by the members present, with Rep. Takunuchi excused. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is my written declaration for the It is my written declaration for the Legislative Ethics Board around
• And are the facts stated in that declaration true? Yes, they are. Equity and Education Coalition.
• And are the facts stated in that declaration true? Yes, they are.
• This is a declaration, I believe, you prepared, Representative Simmons? Mm-hmm.
• So if we could look at your declaration in this matter that was submitted earlier, it's found at LEB

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 34 members present, a quorum is declared.
• The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that locally driven innovation in public education can
• House Bill 900, an act relating to government agencies, making an appropriation therefore, and declaring
• House Bill 900, an act relating to government agencies, making an appropriation therefore, and declaring
• appropriation therefore, and declaring appropriation therefore, and declaring an<00:52:54.080>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved the prior journal, excused absent senators, and received a House message noting passage of several House bills, including House Bill 1 despite the governor’s veto. The clerk also reported committee recommendations on a number of House bills, which were placed on the calendar, and new resolutions were introduced recognizing Chloe Yates, student wellness and physical activity in schools, and the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1, which implements the Federal Education Opportunity Program in Kentucky. Supporters argued the measure would bring federal tax-credit dollars into Kentucky to expand educational opportunities for students and families at no cost to the state budget, while opponents urged sustaining the governor’s veto and raised concerns about accountability and the bill’s structure. After debate, the Senate voted 31-5 to override the veto, and House Bill 1 was finally passed notwithstanding the governor’s veto. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 183 on proxy advisory services. The House committee substitute exempted certain nonprofits with less than $500,000 in annual gross revenue from proxy advisor services from the bill’s cause-of-action provisions while preserving attorney general enforcement authority. The chamber concurred with the House substitute and then passed the bill as amended. Senators also passed Senate Bill 263, the School of Innovation cleanup bill, which makes technical changes, requires KDE support for waiver applications, and creates a pilot project for three schools of innovation with proposed matching grants. Senate Bill 281 on grandparent visitation was also adopted with committee substitute and passed unanimously after discussion focused on balancing grandparents’ access with parental rights and existing case law. Later, the Senate began consideration of Senate Bill 324 on the film industry credit, with the sponsor describing technical changes and expanded provisions to support film, video, gaming, and related production activity in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being 97 members indicating their presence, quorum is declared and the House ready to proceed.
• House Bill 314, an act relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declaring an emergency
• Authority and declaring an emergency. Authority and declaring an emergency.
• 757 with House Floor Amendment 1, Representative Petrie, an act relating to revenue measures and declaring
• House Bill 9, Representative Petrie, an act relating to regulated substances and declaring an emergency

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I recognize Senator Long, I have to announce that I have filed a declaration of intent that I
• of intent that I have a declaration of intent that I have a conflict<00:52:49.800> with<00:52
• Before I recognize Senator Gray, I'm declaring again that I have a conflict of interest and I will not
• Before I recognize Senator Gray, I'm declaring again that I have a conflict of interest and I will not
• I also have a declaration of intent and I may have a conflict, so I will not be participating.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the timing changes that you see here, but what remains is a requirement that the canvassing boards declare
• 06.000> boards requirement that the canvasing boards requirement that the canvasing boards declare
• candidates<00:09:07.399> duly<00:09:07.680> elected<00:09:07.959> to declare
• the candidates duly elected to declare the candidates duly elected to receive<00:09:08.440> the
• Section 30 on page 27 extends the deadline for county special elections to be declared.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Close the vote, declare the vote.
• Close the vote, declare the vote. Representative, we'll send that out as a due pass.

Bills: SB1432, SB1338, SB1437, SB1812

Keywords: teacher certification, pilot program, education, state board, alternative pathways, education grants, competitive grants, revolving fund, State Department of Education, State Board of Education, Strong Readers Act, literacy instruction, reading intervention, dyslexia, science of reading, structured literacy, multisensory instruction, school districts, public education funding, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• Please close the queue and declare the vote.
• Declare the vote. With 26 aye and 5 nay, we'll report that out with a due pass. Thank you, members.

Bills: HB2786, HB2787, HB2786, HB2787

Keywords: mental health, substance abuse, appropriation, state funding, emergency declaration, healthcare, State Department of Health, childbirth program, emergency funding, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, as you know, we've seen reports over and over of every major disaster where we see people

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on April 16 in Conference Room 430 and considered a single measure, SCR 22, which asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work with relevant agencies on outreach programs to help kupuna prepare for emergencies. The committee noted it had previously heard a similar HCR on the same topic. AARP Hawaii testified in strong support, saying older adults are often disproportionately affected in major disasters and that coordinated outreach and education for kupuna is important. Written testimony in support was also received from the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, B. Redi Manoa, the Kanioha Kaaulu Community Emergency Response Team, and one individual. There was no opposition or questions from members. The chair recommended passage of the resolution as is, and the committee voted to adopt it, with members present voting aye and several members excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• claims against responsible parties for claims paid by the insurer for losses relating from climate disasters
• injured parties to file claims against the responsible party for damages resulting from climate disasters
• licensed in the state with a civil cause of action to recover costs and losses resulting from climate disasters
• recover their losses associated with recover their losses associated with climate<00:20:52.520> disasters
• climate disasters. climate disasters.

Bills: SB1166, SB888, SB2387, SB2471

Keywords: insurance, climate change, responsible parties, damages, Hawaii Property Insurance Association, Hurricane Relief Fund, civil action, climate disasters, extreme weather, SB888, Hawaii, consumer protection, smart home security, smart household security device, home security camera, video doorbell, Ring, Nest, connected devices, internet of things

Summary: The committee heard SB 1166 SD2, a bill on insurance and climate-related damages that would authorize the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and, in amended versions discussed during testimony, other public and private entities to pursue civil actions to recover losses tied to climate disasters and extreme weather. DCCA’s Insurance Division and the Department of the Attorney General raised legal concerns, saying the bill’s scope may not fit the insurance code section being amended, that it could create subject-matter and title issues, and that some subrogation language may be duplicative of existing rate-filing practice. Lawyers for Justice opposed the measure, arguing it conflicts with existing subrogation law and recent Hawaii Supreme Court rulings that treat the judicial lien process as the exclusive remedy. The American Petroleum Institute also opposed, warning the bill would add liability and litigation risk for companies operating under existing permits and could undermine energy reliability and investment. Supporters said the bill would help shift climate-related insurance costs away from residents and onto fossil fuel companies and other responsible parties. Testimony in support came from the Polluters Pay Hawaii Coalition, Center for Climate Integrity, Hawaii Island Council, Our Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, who described recent flooding, storm damage, rising premiums, non-renewals, and underinsurance as evidence of a worsening climate-driven insurance crisis. Several supporters urged amendments to give the Attorney General explicit authority to recover insurance-related losses for the Hurricane Relief Fund, HPIA, and private insurers, and to ensure recovered amounts benefit policyholders. Committee members questioned whether HPIA is a private entity, whether the Attorney General could represent it, whether the bill could create double recovery or affect pending climate litigation, and whether insurers would have standing or damages if they are only paying contractual claims. The committee then took up SB 888 SD2, a consumer protection bill that would restrict smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a judicial order, and would bar conditioning device use on such consent. The Office of Consumer Protection testified in support and said an Illinois law could serve as a useful template for exceptions to the warrant requirement. An individual supporter said the measure would protect immigrant communities, judges, and others from surveillance and misuse of private data. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair noted additional written testimony submitted in support of SB 1166.

Transcript Highlights:

• the program or they may, maybe for some reason, they could not attain the goal due to a natural disaster
• > could not attain the goal due to a could not attain the goal due to a natural<00:11:02.560> disaster
• <00:11:03.040> other<00:11:03.760> circumstances natural disaster other circumstances
• natural disaster other circumstances beyond<00:11:04.560> their<00:11:04.720> control.
• but we need to really advance the ball so that everybody's on the same page to get ahead of these disasters

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended. The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's what Declaration of Rights.
• With 32 votes in the affirmative, Senate Bill 108 having received a constitutional majority is declared
• constitutional majority is declared constitutional majority is declared passed.<02:37:35.760>
• With 42 votes in the affirmative, Senate Bill 328 having received a constitutional majority is declared
• majority and is declared passed. majority and is declared passed. All<02:41:44.480> right.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on March 10, 2026, established a quorum, and began with an invocation by Reverend Damien Flowers, which was journalized without objection. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including Dr. Courtney Glickman for being named 2025 Play Therapist of the Year, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Dr. Sonja B. Santelises for her leadership of Baltimore City Public Schools, students shadowing legislators, Navy Alliance representatives, the Maryland Alliance for Advocacy for Sickle Cell, and Ms. Kimberly Body for her lupus advocacy. The Senate also journalized prior remarks about the 6888 regiment. The Finance Committee report then moved several bills forward. Senate Bill 348 would allow hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to contact, rather than only call, patients after high-risk pregnancies; its amendments were adopted and the bill was ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 390 on Wicomico County liquor licenses was laid over under the rule. Senate Bill 492, addressing massage therapy advertising and prohibiting misleading sexual-service advertising, was amended and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 562, concerning pharmacist-prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 773 would let pharmacists order certain vaccines, including intranasal flu vaccines, for self-administration and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 53, on Maryland Port Administration land acquisition notice in Anne Arundel County, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 428 would bar cost-sharing for collaborative care model services under Medicaid and private coverage and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 473 would require human trafficking awareness training for for-hire and transportation network drivers; its amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Senate Bill 585 would shift administration of the human relevant research fund from Health to Agriculture and was advanced. Senate Bill 606, the Easy Pass Commuter Fairness and Transparency Act, would require an MDTA report on commuter plans and unused trips; its amendment was moved as the transcript ended. During debate on Senate Bill 917, which would expand the definition of audiology practice to include certain screenings and non-radiographic imaging, a senator questioned whether the bill would make Maryland the only state restricting a health occupation from performing Medicare-required screenings. The floor leader said the committee had heard that claim in testimony but had not verified it, and the senator moved to special order the bill for amendment, which was granted without objection. Most other bills were reported favorably, with committee amendments adopted without objection and several bills ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• that what your position that you're taking today, you are basically acting as a fact finder and declaring
• They have contemplated that there are issues with natural disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resources effectively and successfully, but of course to mitigate the impact of other environmental disasters
• It baffles me we make These declarations of this is the plain language.

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• for a billion dollars for what the governor wanted for what's called an emergency preparedness and disaster
• I don't know if most of you know that we're actually still currently in a state of emergency declared

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar. The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement. A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2025, that the Honorable Matthias Kusch, Representative from the First District, be and is hereby declared
• Our communities are disaster resilient and prepared for natural and man-made emergencies.

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, service members may be deployed overseas, activated here at home in response to natural disasters
• activated, service members may be deployed overseas, activated here at home in response to natural disasters
• We believe that those who not only protect us abroad but also in case of a natural disaster or any kind

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fixing this problem now will help Texas avoid another disaster like Winter Storm Uri and avoid higher
• destructive effects of EMP, whether from a Carrington event or from a man-made event... cause, you know, disaster
• going down for an extended period of time and the availability of fixes that could prevent this disaster

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• and we think of some of the disasters and we think of some of the disasters like<02:29:45.640>
• I’ll open the executive session on HCR 2, declaring the development of advanced nuclear technology and
• <04:49:37.718> the<04:49:37.878> development<04:49:38.480> of hcr2 declaring
• the development of hcr2 declaring the development of advanced<04:49:39.080> nuclear<04:49:39.638
• What it does is set out, uh, sort of a declarative statement that the state understands that there is

Keywords: 1189, house, all