Transcript Highlights:

• These small changes will make a big difference.
• These small changes will make a big difference.
• Just over a year—nothing about the cause changed, nothing about the exposure changed.
• We've made many changes over the years.
• We've made many changes over the years.

Bills: S2500, S2502, S2504, S7028, S2506, S2508, S2510, S2512, S2514, S2516, S2518, S0482, S0678, S0984, S1016, S1074, S1706, S7030

Keywords: budget, appropriation, education funding, healthcare, environmental protection, infrastructure, local government, Appropriations Act, funding, education, rural development, economic assistance, collective bargaining, state employees, labor relations, impasse resolution, negotiations, retirement, elected officials, Deferred Retirement Option Program

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• , has not changed over time.
• >> So so that uh criteria that definition >> So so that uh criteria that definition
• So any has not changed over time.
• :18.320> insurance<00:21:19.360> uh changes in unemployment uh insurance uh changes in
• <00:32:54.320> an know definitively, but it's an know definitively, but it's an encouraging

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it to vaping apparatus by definition in the state.
• The change will also create a criminal offense.
• Yeah, same here, just the definition of vaping. Okay.
• Under current law, only 20,000 signatures are needed to change a city charter, which is easier than changing
• Definition for higher education, is it?

Bills: SB32, SB464, SB996, SB1163, SB1173, SB1277, SB1452, SB1453, SB1548, SB1882, SB1883, SB2016, SB 32

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Transcript Highlights:

• In that century, things changed dramatically.
• and the legal regime had changed.
• So in essence, it changed local autonomy to a certain extent.
• It changes every year.
• These changes were crucial in terms of stabilizing the project.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a changing field.
• I'm in support of that change. change. change. Thank<01:45:05.480> you.
• This bill helps change that. identity. This bill helps change that.
• some of the words have changed. some of the words have changed.
• change that this could have. change that this could have.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tax so it it would exempt definitely tax so it it would exempt definitely exempt<00:50:04.599>
• would be considered under the definition would be considered under the definition of<01:06:25.720
• kids they not like change kids they not like change school<01:27:31.560> they<01:27:31.800
• Don Chang dlnr with Don Chang dlnr with comments<01:36:26.800> Dean<01:36:27.119> minakami<
• <02:18:42.040> of within the larger definition of within the larger definition of transportive

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then we saw programmatic changes proposed by HUD.
• You'll definitely get the 12-to-1 leverage.
• But definitely we are open and think there's definitely a place to do interest rate buy downs versus
• It's something that will change that part of Albuquerque in the long term.
• They have not given us any definitive plans.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll change your status to public instead of just registered.
• I think we changed it up here, so you're good.
• The committee substitute makes a clarifying change.
• That does not change.
• Changes, and so anyway, that's SB 1855.

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Transcript Highlights:

• We definitely must have a sense of urgency related to the budget.
• Well, Senator, I definitely agree. Something has to be done.
• Encrypted but not secure, I believe, in the definition of the term secure.
• We need a change. You are that change. So thank you very much for being willing to continue.
• It's definitely a big challenge in front of us.

Keywords: national security, military readiness, Kane nomination, defense budget, China threats, Russia, collaboration, modernization

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of retired Lieutenant General Dan Kane for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delving into various security concerns and the strategic environment facing the U.S. today. Testimonies highlighted the growing threats from adversaries such as China and Russia, with discussions around the necessity of maintaining and modernizing military capabilities to address these challenges. The need for agility in military operations and enhancing collaboration among various defense agencies was underscored. Further, concerns were raised regarding the defense budget and the importance of a strong national defense strategy were prevalent throughout the discussions. The committee members collectively emphasized the need for superior readiness and modernization to keep pace with global threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation, we have kept our promise that this something comes before us every year just to make a few changes
• organizations similar to the organization that we will be looking at to determine, you know, if we change
• this what we would you know if we change this what we would go<00:05:04.000> to.
• And if you go through it, it gives the definitions of that in that section.
• of that in that um gives the definitions of that in that section.<00:07:59.520> Um<00:08:00.160

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard an explanation of a bill dealing with confidentiality of certain contracts between students, the university, and personnel reviewing those contracts. The measure would require those agreements and their terms to be kept confidential except as otherwise provided by law or court order, and it would set out damages and remedies for unauthorized disclosure, including by agents. The committee then moved title sufficient and do pass, with committee substitute, and the motion carried. Senator Blackman presented SB 2046, a bill that would create a property right in an individual’s name, likeness, and voice, including rules for transfer, contract, inheritance, penalties for misuse, and First Amendment protections. Senator Leno offered a reverse repealer amendment, which was adopted, and the committee then voted title sufficient, do pass, committee substitute. The committee next discussed SB 2208, creating the Mississippi Public University Governance Study Commission to review system-level governance, accountability, oversight, and coordination among public institutions of higher learning. The sponsor said the commission would study other states, including Florida and Tennessee, report by December 1, and dissolve January 1 of the following year, with support from the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review. After questions about comparable models and the goals of the study, the committee voted title sufficient, do pass. Finally, the committee considered SB 2342, the Safe Dormitories Act, which would require public institutions of higher learning and community colleges to report on dormitory safety policies, including coeducational and single-sex housing arrangements, bathrooms, curfews, and age requirements. Members questioned whether the report could already be requested without codifying it and asked about a fiscal note; the sponsor said there was no fiscal note. Senator Deleno moved to table the bill, and the motion carried. The committee then took up a final measure simply bringing forth IHL code sections, with the sponsor saying the committee was still working with the College Board on related factors; the committee voted title sufficient, do pass, and then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• detention center policies have changed detention center policies have changed and<00:50:21.119><
• Several months ago, overnight, the Department of Justice changed their definition of what a sanctuary
• This changes the game.
• >> definitely questions of >> definitely questions of anti-comandeering<01:29:33.120>
• > represented Definitely uh they're over represented Definitely uh they're over represented in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• . change. change.
• <00:21:11.760> of notice of their charge change of notice of their charge change of employment
• So I'm going to jump to the definition section, and I want to highlight the definition of a data center
• So I'm going to jump to the definition section, and I want to highlight the definition of a data center
• I want to highlight the the definition I want to highlight the the definition of<01:27:08.040>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the CDC definition of maternal mortality.
• No significant change in recent years.
• What definition are we using for that term? What was the last part of your question?
• What definition are we using for abortions? We're talking about medical abortions and...
• And that can bring about changes much more quickly.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Slide four gives you a snapshot of the pension fund balance and how it's changed over the last decade
• So, the industry standard has changed over time.
• in benefits to to change what our unfunded liability and what the funding period would be.
• But there's another factor here in that the change was made retroactive to last January.
• So that would no longer meet the definition that's here. in our statute of actuarial soundness.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it was after that time that the rules were going to be changed, proposed to be changed to give
• House Bill 67 seeks to change the state statute.
• That isn't being changed by this bill.
• I can tell you mine was definitely part-time.
• It's under existing law, and under the change, the change is just for those that are in a kind of a gray

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court changed its mind. Supreme Court changed its mind.
• the power to change that trajectory. the power to change that trajectory.
• We have a definitive plan.
• We have a definitive plan.
• Um, that wouldn't change. This expected. Um, that wouldn't change.

Bills: HF3409, HF3487, HF3401

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• And I believe we definitely need to do something.
• So, we have an idea of where we're at and how much a change makes.
• And based on what they paid of 16 million and change, that's a 53... ...million and change, that's a
• Um, but there definitely is cost containments built within the system.
• So it could stay exactly the same and not really change much.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The definition of premier research university would change to read: a public university whose annual
• Other changes in the the state.
• We're just to meaningful changes.
• make some language changes. make some language changes.
• The Senate made a couple of changes around some definitions.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've noted some changes here...
• I've noted some changes here, and then, you know, really the results and how these changes really assist
• I think that has changed over time.
• I think that has changed over time.
• How do we change that culture?

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Curbside voting definitely helps him do that.
• Curbside voting definitely helps him do that.
• :59.119> him<00:38:59.359> do Curbside voting definitely helps him do Curbside voting definitely
• <00:42:29.839> that fiscal note the the minor changes that fiscal note the the minor changes
• really were the instrumental in changing really were the instrumental in changing our<00:50:58.800

Bills: HB541

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, 923, senate, all