Transcript Highlights:

• They've hacked the Washington Post.
• They've hacked the Washington<00:09:00.480><c> Post.</c><00:09:01.560><c> Uh</c> Washington Post.
• Uh Washington Post.
• </c> disconnected from the internet. disconnected from the internet.
• </c> increase 2 months in a row post increase 2 months in a row post our<00:42:53.400><c> program.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:36 Homeland Security: 00:03:46 Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership: 00:36:29, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 230 was enacted to help foster the development of the Internet.
• Section 230 was enacted to help foster the development of the Internet.
• Section 230 was never written for the Internet as it exists today.
• In 1996, the Internet was dial-up and message boards.
• There are 20 billion internet-connected devices right now and growing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm presenting AB 353, the Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025.
• home internet service to qualifying low-income households participating... ...affordable home internet
• Kids need internet to do their homework, parents need internet to apply for jobs or work remotely, and
• families need internet for telehealth, especially living far away from medical centers.
• Assembly Bill 1210 by Assembly Member Lackey and act by the post-release community supervision.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• sergeants directed your attention to the rules for public attendance and participation, which were posted
• AB 1271 requires broadband internet service providers to report key pricing and speed performance data
• AB1271 requires broadband Internet service providers to report key pricing and speed performance data
• Brandy's house, her internet was several times faster than in any of our previous visits, without any
• Poor communities pay more for worse internet.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires faster online posting and inclusion in a centralized statewide public notice website
• So, the notices will also be circulated in those written hard copy papers, and the internet posting would
• I need you to post and things like<00:09:38.760><c> that.
• </c><00:09:45.200><c> posting</c><00:09:45.640><c> it</c> papers, and the internet posting it papers,
• and the internet posting it would<00:09:45.920><c> just</c><00:09:46.120><c> be</c><00:09:46.280><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:01 Roll Call 00:00:21 SB 141 Discussion 00:03:21 SB 141 Vote 00:10:57 HB 755 Discussion 00:13:08 HB 755 Vote 00:17:55 SB 20 Discussion 00:19:36 SB 20 Vote 00:21:53 SB 40 Discussion 00:23:31 SB 40 Vote 00:26:25 HB 851 Discussion 00:28:53 HB 851 Vote 00:31:53 Adjournment 00:33:26, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sergeants directed your attention to the rules for public attendance and participation, which were posted
• AB 1271 requires broadband internet service providers to report key pricing and speed performance data
• We found that over 75% of internet connections we tested never reached the. the speed threshold to be
• Poor communities pay more for worse internet.
• In LA, the advertised cost of internet service is systematically higher in neighborhoods with higher

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You need access to the internet.
• They would get to the internet.
• </c><00:25:04.760><c> right</c> County don't have great internet right County don't have great internet
• So, yeah, they have access, and they are going to the internet.
• </c> contracts and each of those are posted contracts and each of those are posted on<01:34:33.280><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is not about cutting young people off from the internet.
• Morning, Austin Hayworth, on behalf of Internet Works.
• Morning, Austin Hayworth, on behalf of Internet Works.
• The internet itself shuts off for young people at a certain hour.
• The internet itself shuts off for young people at a certain hour.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on public safety, consumer protection, and youth harms. AB 1557 by Assemblymember Papin would clarify e-bike motor power limits and set lower speed-related standards for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, cities, the California Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argued the bill would reduce severe injuries and deaths among young riders. Opponents from People for Bikes warned it could conflict with federal law, create legal uncertainty, and disrupt the bicycle market. The author and committee members acknowledged industry concerns and urged continued work on the bill. AB 1770 by Assemblymember Garcia would place large health care service plan arbitration under California Department of Justice oversight and require compliance with the California Arbitration Act. Supporters described cases where patients were forced into private arbitration with little transparency or accountability, arguing the bill would make the process fairer and more neutral. Kaiser Permanente and the Civil Justice Association of California said they were still reviewing amendments and had not settled on a final position. Committee members expressed sympathy for the personal stories shared and encouraged continued negotiations. The committee also heard AB 2075, which would require fire suppression equipment to be kept closer at hand during brush work, and AB 1864, which would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism. AB 2075 was presented as a response to a Ventura County wildfire, with support from the Ventura County District Attorney’s office and no opposition heard. AB 1864 was backed by the author, Stanford biosecurity expert Dr. Milana Trout, and Encode AI, while Biocom opposed unless amended and California Life Sciences remained neutral. Members discussed implementation details and the role of the Department of Public Health. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with harmful features and create an e-safety advisory commission. Supporters, including youth advocates, parents, medical groups, and Common Sense Media, said addictive design features are harming children’s mental health and safety. Opponents, including EFF, the ACLU, TechNet, and other civil liberties and industry groups, argued the bill is overbroad, raises First Amendment and privacy concerns, and could limit access to important online communities. Despite those objections, the bill was moved forward after committee discussion, with members emphasizing the need to protect children while continuing to work on carveouts and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• We post our forecasts on the website.
• So, you know, we had very rapid post-COVID growth in Revenue Act collections.
• A couple others are the Commerce Clause and the Internet Tax Freedom Act.
• people to get online and conduct business online, and it prohibits taxing internet access and prohibits
• And I did see a line on there for sales tax when I promoted the post.

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texans should hold a post-secondary education certificate by 2030.
• They'll post it on there looking for people to do this and they're giving them instructions.
• It's not just sales on the internet that are exploding.
• But my first concern is that it could go underground, the internet.
• You can already buy a puppy on the internet.

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, um, I do think that we potentially have some areas that don't have the internet access available
• And if, like you were saying, Representative Stubs, if they didn't have internet issues, I'm sure that
• An issue that a student has posted about on social media can lead to them bringing it to the school to
• They trust them to go to them and say, "Hey, you know, there’s this situation where someone’s posting
• There’s a new post that goes on that site, and then beginning in March... ...on that site.

Bills: HB205, HB226, HB234

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• </c> appropriate notice will be posted. appropriate notice will be posted.
• </c> It keeps records of the trainings, post It keeps records of the trainings, post signage,<00:58:31.520
• </c> mandatory posting are the bare minimum. mandatory posting are the bare minimum.

Bills: SB2359, SB2169, SB2170, SB2263, SB2360, SB3084

Keywords: time share, registration, renewal, consumer protection, real estate, SB2170, North Kohala, Kynnersly East Site, Agribusiness Development Corporation, ADC, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, agricultural development, land acquisition, fee simple, Hawaii Island, Big Island, rural development, food security, sustainable agriculture

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems heard House Bill 2585 on agricultural tourism. The bill would create statewide uniform standards for agritourism in counties that adopt such ordinances, require registration with county planning departments, and require agritourism to remain secondary and accessory to farming. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity supported the measure but recommended amendments to make the language more consistent and to ensure agritourism remains tied to agricultural activity; the Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill with the same general guardrails, while the White Tourism Authority offered comments. A member raised concerns about a trailer/roadside-stand provision, and the department ultimately said it did not support that specific language. The chairs then recommended passage with amendments, including a definition of principal farm operations, clarification that agritourism must not interfere with on-farm operations, revised termination rules after 60 consecutive days without active production with notice and cure procedures, restoration of the department’s proposed change to the trailer language, and technical corrections. HB 2585 passed both committees unanimously with excused members noted. The committees then heard House Bill 2602 on sustainable tourism infrastructure, which would establish a matching grant program in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for capital projects that improve sustainability and climate resilience in the visitor industry. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii testified in support. The chair recommended passage with a committee report note estimating a roughly $5 million cost and a date correction, and both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. House Bill 1948 on single-use plastics was also heard. It would prohibit lodging establishments from providing certain personal care products in small plastic containers and impose civil penalties. The Department of Land and Natural Resources stood on its testimony, and the Department of Health supported the waste-reduction goal but suggested the language belonged in a different chapter. The chair recommended an HD1 that would omit lotions from the definition of personal care products, adopt the Department of Health’s proposed clarification about reusable containers, and correct the date; the measure passed both committees unanimously. Finally, House Bill 1960 on human trafficking was heard. The bill would require the Attorney General to develop human trafficking awareness training for transit accommodation workers, require employers to provide training, keep records, post signage, adopt prevention policies, and report suspected trafficking, with penalties and rulemaking by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The Department of Labor Relations supported the intent but said the Department of Law Enforcement should be the lead agency, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the bill while asking for amendments to recognize existing industry programs and apply the requirements equitably. The chair recommended an HD1 incorporating a July 1, 2027 deadline for training materials and employer training, adopting the hotel industry and DLE-related amendments, and making technical corrections; HB 1960 passed both committees unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, he wasn't supportive of using the internet.
• At that time, he wasn't supportive of using the internet.
• The important thing is that they have internet connection.
• We've been talking about internet access in the West for decades.
• That distinction matters, especially in the post-SFFA v.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Had our first webinar June 1st related to the first three initiatives that have been posted.
• The health plan was posted by the governor's office.
• So, what's happened since that plan was posted publicly?
• We have Walmart and these internets. You know about the internets.
• And so, uh, that's about the internets. And so, uh, that's what we have.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 June, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s about the statutory requirements for posting public notices.
• It’s about the statutory requirements for posting public notices.
• things can be posted for free and get the most access to the public.
• The internet really has become that town square.
• We acknowledge that the Internet is here to stay.

Bills: HB2015, HB2060, HB2129, HB2170, HB2210, HB2228, HB2352, HB2460, HB2533, SB1019, SB1045, SB1050, SB1078, SB1083, SB1167, SB1184, SCR1006

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, procurement, foreign adversary, China, state contracts, information technology

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a committee hearing of the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet,
• Their experiences on the internet are very different from each other.
• Their experiences on the internet are very different from each other.
• You know, we say on the internet everyone's a child.
• To protect myself and my family, I do not post my family on social media.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notice to the public of the opt-in decision must be posted at least twice in the local journal.
• Notice to the public of the opt-in decision must be posted at least twice in the local journal.
• Yep, and it's actually posted online underneath my files. I filed it last week.
• And all the amendment actually does is include Internet bidding. Mr. Chairman. Okay.
• That clarifies that proposed law applies to live public auctions and internet computer auctions.

Bills: HB27, HB143, HB205, HB308, HB311, HB417, HB430, HB562, HB812, HB1129

Keywords: inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it's kind of a cleanup bill a little bit, but, you know, since the internet, these codes are
• And of course, the purpose of this in the past, because if we didn't have the internet, when a citizen
• But, you know, with the internet now, that's not necessary.
• And of course, the purpose of this in the past, because if we didn't have the internet, when a citizen
• But, you know, with the Internet now, that's not necessary.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills related to economic development, broadband, tax policy, and family support. HB 455 drew support for a startup-business loan program, with DBEDT, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Hmua Collective among those in favor; Tax Foundation Hawaii questioned the need for a special fund. HB 437, concerning Hawaii trade/investment offices, received support from DBEDT and Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, and members asked DBEDT about how to measure return on investment from the overseas offices. HB 650, dealing with broadband-related administration, was supported by DBEDT, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and others, while committee discussion focused on the role of the state’s trade and investment offices and broadband administration. HB 935, on digital navigator support, received testimony in favor from DBEDT, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii system, and others, but also drew comments about consumer representation and the need for service on neighbor islands. The committee also heard strong testimony on tax and family-related measures. HB 572, which would remove the grocery tax, received overwhelming support from groups including the Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and others, with testimony emphasizing food insecurity and cost-of-living relief; Tax Foundation Hawaii offered technical comments. HB 701, a caregiver tax credit bill, was supported by AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others, with AARP stressing the burden on family caregivers and Tax Foundation Hawaii suggesting the credit percentage be reduced to preserve price-shopping incentives. HB 753, another child and dependent care tax credit measure, drew support from AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others; Tax Foundation Hawaii again raised technical concerns, this time about the complexity of the formula. After testimony, the committee took up decision-making. HB 455 was passed with amendments, including transferring administrative responsibility from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to the Community-Based Economic Development Program, blanking out the appropriation, adding one business loan officer FTE, and noting a $95,000 cost. HB 437, HB 650, HB 934, HB 442, and HB 572 were all advanced with amendments, generally involving blanking out appropriations, moving amounts into committee notes, technical cleanup, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000. HB 935 was deferred because of overlap with public library programs and uncertainty about federal funding for digital navigator positions. The chair also indicated HB 7 would be amended to add a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit and related technical changes, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• To respond themselves on the internet.
• And how would that differ from the option that everybody else has to respond on the internet?
• And so, you know, one, I think that the best case or the best argument that can be made for Internet
• But it doesn't have everybody, doesn't have people who live at rural routes, doesn't include post office
• I know that in 2020 there was concern among post-secondary institutions about information about Dreamers

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The hearing focused on census data privacy, administrative data sharing, and the role of state and local governments in improving census accuracy, especially for the 2030 cycle. Dr. Philip Rocco testified that the census is increasingly intergovernmental, with state and local partners playing key roles in address list updates, outreach, self-response, and group quarters enumeration. He emphasized that complete-count efforts are uneven across states because of limited resources, partisan conflict, and low agenda priority, but argued that early planning, complete count commissions, and state data centers can materially improve response rates and reduce undercounts in hard-to-count communities. Rocco also discussed group quarters, explaining that most facilities use administrator-provided e-response or paper response, while colleges and universities face privacy complications because FERPA can limit the demographic detail they share. He described the 2020 census use of administrative data from sources such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, DMV records, and group quarters administrators, and said that some states refused to share data when the Trump administration’s Executive Order 13880 sought information in connection with citizenship-related efforts. He characterized that refusal as a form of “uncooperative federalism” that helped protect census integrity. He also warned that 2030 planning faces risks from reduced or altered 2026 test sites, declining trust in immigrant communities, and the disbanding of Census Advisory Committees. The second panel, Beth Jarvis and Amy O’Hara of Georgetown’s Massive Data Institute and the Association of Public Data Users, expanded on how administrative data are used and the privacy/confidentiality issues involved. They explained that administrative data are collected for operational purposes, not census purposes, and can help with frame development, nonresponse follow-up, enumeration, and post-enumeration evaluation. They highlighted long-standing federal data sources such as IRS, Medicare, Social Security, USPS delivery files, and Defense Manpower Data Center records, as well as state sources like SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, and foster care data. They stressed that data quality varies, that some sources lack key demographic fields or have outdated addresses, and that the Bureau must balance usefulness against missingness and definitional differences. The witnesses distinguished privacy from confidentiality: privacy means requesting only the minimum data needed, while confidentiality means securing the data and preventing disclosure of individuals or small groups. They noted that the Bureau typically acquires limited “header” or roster information rather than detailed records, and that only the IRS is statutorily required to share data with the Census Bureau. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of testimony and member questioning about administrative data, group quarters, and the legal and operational limits on data sharing.