Transcript Highlights:

• It's a penalty for not meeting the network adequacy. >> Okay.
• How—okay, well, I'll file that one. Okay, thank you. >> Yeah.
• for not meeting the network penalty for not meeting the network adequacy. adequacy. adequacy.
• Well, I'll file cabinet then. How Okay. Well, I'll file that<00:41:37.839><c> one.
• </c><01:15:02.400><c> themselves</c> into it looking at at files themselves into it looking at at files

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single one of us, when we file our campaign finance...
• In the Senate chamber late in the day, two lawmakers rose with a bill in play.
• Most of you knew my late husband, Steve.
• Their love carried me through every victory, every loss, and every late night.
• We called out specifically that the time is told if an appeal is filed.

Transcript Highlights:

• My apologies, I got here a bit late for the briefing.
• When you look at Chinook, those counts didn't start until the late '90s. It's been up and down.
• Is the penalty severe enough?
• I can’t speak to all of the penalties.
• fish, but there are penalties based upon the, I guess, quote-unquote, invasiveness of the species.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they go in default if there's a penalty they go in default if there's a penalty or<00:13:48.440>
• low enough that they're not required to file federal income taxes.
• low enough that they're not required to file federal income taxes.
• </c><01:37:07.360><c> increase</c> and the the FAFSA filing increase and the the FAFSA filing increase
• </c> committee uh we did present this in late committee uh we did present this in late January<01:44:

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a moment where we're watching a domino fall, and we know anyone who's lived through the late '90s
• It's a moment where we're watching a domino fall, and we know anyone who's lived through the late '90s
• supports in terms of the ability to impose such a penalty.
• a few billion dollars in revenue, which would require likely a penalty in the hundreds of millions.
• So this bill, just to be clear, ...there are likely a penalty in the hundreds of millions, excuse me,

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd make the motion that we would favorably recommend this and/or adopt this as a committee bill file
• And some of our data capabilities improvements lately would better allow us to do that. So thanks.
• So the question is: are we tracking the ultimate penalties?
• All right, so the discussion now with the committee is, do you want to pursue this or not, bill file,
• file, correct?

Committee: Joint Transportation Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's, I mean, you know, we've all bought concert tickets lately. We've all bought concessions.
• When this all started back in the late 80s, the hotel-motel taxes in St.
• I think it was seven rules in the last year of all the rules filed.
• I think it was seven rules in the last year of all the rules filed.
• You have to pay your sheriff's department $10 a year to keep your certification on file.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2934, which would consolidate the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission and the Regional Sports Authority into a single reconstituted board to govern the Dome and Convention Center complex. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would modernize governance, clarify tax revenue use, and create a convention district funding structure without imposing new general taxes on residents or businesses. Testimony emphasized the facilities’ economic impact, including about $205 million annually, roughly 120 full-time jobs and over 4,000 part-time jobs, and support from Explore St. Louis, hotel interests, the RSA, St. Charles County, and Greater St. Louis, Inc. Committee members asked detailed questions about board representation, ownership, liens, and the proposed sales tax and special assessment tools; supporters said the taxes would apply only within the district, be capped, and be used for maintenance and operations. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 2559, the REINS Act, which would require affirmative legislative approval for administrative rules with fiscal notes over $250,000 before they could take effect. The sponsor and an Americans for Prosperity witness argued that major rules should not become binding without a vote of elected lawmakers, especially after Missouri’s recent move away from judicial deference to agencies. They said the bill would strengthen checks and balances, with emergency rules and rules needed for federal compliance exempted. Members questioned the $250,000 threshold, how it would work procedurally, and whether agencies might try to avoid the trigger; the sponsor said the process would shift major rules from an opt-out to an opt-in framework through concurrent resolution. No vote was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2928, which would add certification by the United States Concealed Carry Association as an approved qualification for concealed carry instructors in Missouri. The sponsor said the change would simply expand the list of recognized instructor credentials alongside NRA and law enforcement certification, and members asked about the state registry and sheriff’s role in verifying instructors. House Bill 1752 was then heard, a fire protection district ethics measure requiring surplus property to be sold through sealed bid or an approved online auction platform such as govdeals.com. The sponsor and a fire district witness said the bill was meant to prevent improper sales to insiders and ensure transparent disposal of public property; several members supported it and suggested it could be a consent bill. The transcript ends with the committee concluding its hearing after no opposition or informational testimony on HB 1752.

Transcript Highlights:

• My apologies, traffic made me late.
• The Local Project Review Act was adopted in the late 1990s and hadn't seen a ton of change.
• when there was a little less pressure on the timelines, they had a practice of letting applicants file
• long period of time before it comes back, each one of those starts and stops creates an efficiency penalty
• of time that you have to commit to sort of providing help desk support for people who maybe haven't filed

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in work session and heard a series of presentations on SEPA, permitting reforms, and building code implementation. Department of Ecology staff gave an overview of the State Environmental Policy Act, explaining its role in state and local decision-making, common exemptions, planned actions, and recent housing-related statutory changes such as transit-oriented development exemptions and SEPA appeals protections for certain local ordinances. Committee members asked about repeated SEPA reviews, cultural and historic resource review, and how SEPA relates to NEPA; Ecology responded that repeated reviews usually occur when proposals change and that programmatic EISs can help front-load analysis. Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections described how recent SEPA exemptions reduced residential review volume and supported more housing permits, and said the city is considering raising thresholds further. The State Building Code Council provided an update on code adoption timelines and legislative tasks tied to the 2024 codes, including single-stair housing, multiplex housing, dwelling unit size, and temporary emergency shelter standards. Council staff said the content of the codes is largely set, but administrative timelines have been delayed, prompting a motion to postpone final adoption while pursuing ways to preserve the planned implementation schedule. Members asked about the timing of code changes and the impact on housing costs, and staff said the legislative topics remain on track for inclusion in the 2024 code package. Committee staff then reviewed recent permitting legislation, including SB 5290’s permit decision deadlines and fee-refund provisions, later bills limiting pre-application meetings and clarifying that building permits are excluded from those timelines, and project-specific changes affecting middle housing, ADUs, lot splits, passive house projects, self-certification, transit-oriented development, and parking requirements. Commerce’s Dave Anderson reported on SB 5290 implementation, including guidance on permit fees, studies on staffing and statewide permitting systems, grants to local governments, and the first annual performance report, which showed mixed results and highlighted the importance of digital tools, clear checklists, staff training, and coordination across departments. Local officials from Issaquah and Kitsap County described their own process improvements, including code updates, optional pre-application meetings, new staffing, reporting systems, and a phased “Two by Six” review model in Kitsap, while also noting challenges from staffing shortages, agency coordination, and the burden of implementing multiple new mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, Senate File for our consideration... Senate File 110. Senate File 110. Reading clerk.
• </c> file 113 has passed the house. Next. file 113 has passed the house. Next.
• </c> Senate file for our consideration. Senate file for our consideration.
• </c> Senate file 123. Recur. Senate file 123. Recur.
• file number 61.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their great-grandfather was the late Senator Pro Tem Ben Altamirano.
• Their great-grandfather was the late Senator Pro Tem Ben Altamirano. Welcome to the House.
• And so therefore, there's a civil penalty that's attached to that.
• But then when the bill was filed and there was additional taxes, I thought, oh, my gosh.
• Made by retail pharmacies, requiring reports, providing penalties, and making an appropriation.

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM25 , HB9 , SB2 , SB19

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• IT REALLY DATES BACK PAST 2004 AND 2008 DEFINING CRIMINAL PENALTIES WHERE PRIORITIZING TRAINING FOR LAW
• THIS WAS FILED ON, TO SHARE WITH YOU AN UPDATE. WE GOT THIS FILED ON 2/14.
• WE DO ANTICIPATE THE PROPOSED RULE WILL BE FILED ON 2/28. THE NOTICE WILL BE FILED ON 2/28.
• THE NUMBER OF VERIFIED YOUTH BY LATE AGENCY IN COUNTY IN 2023.

Transcript Highlights:

• filing?
• The bill requires that the Secretary of State, prior to assessing a penalty for omitting filings or making
• The bill requires that the Secretary of State prior to assessing a penalty for omitting filings or making
• The Secretary of State may not assess a penalty if a properly completed statement is filed within seven
• If not filed within seven days, the Secretary of State is to assess the penalty.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4198, which would require employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization and impose escalating penalties for violations, including warnings, debarment from state contracts, loss of business licenses, and other sanctions. Counsel and senators raised extensive drafting concerns, including circular language, conflicts with existing record-retention provisions, unclear references to “seeks to employ,” possible application to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements, and uncertainty about how the bill would work for employers who never actually complete a hire. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a way to strengthen compliance with existing law, protect employers who use E-Verify in good faith, and deter illegal hiring. After debate, a motion to table the bill failed on a roll call vote, 6 in favor and 10 opposed, and the chair then announced the bill would be sent to a subcommittee to be cleaned up, with instructions to resolve the drafting conflicts and other ambiguities. The committee then turned to House Bill 4710, with an amendment, which would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the change would lengthen the current 60-day requirement and would affect both party-switching and independent candidacies, making it harder for candidates to change affiliation shortly before an election. Senators asked about how the 210-day period would work relative to the primary and general election filing deadlines, and counsel clarified that it would be measured backward from the relevant filing dates. The discussion focused on the practical effect of the bill as a “sore loser” measure and on the timing rules for candidacy filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, if we're going to file a criminal case, we'll just find out whether...
• Beverage was actually late to the game in terms of entering this space.
• DPS has reviewed the filed version of HB 28.
• They file suit all the time. But it's kind of a whack-a-mole problem, and it ends up in court.
• As you may know, this is reducing penalties for...

Bills: HB28 , SB3 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• whether that conduct warrants commission discipline, and what sanction or discipline and/or civil penalty
• It should be noted that civil penalties may only be imposed in cases where the commission has determined
• that discipline is warranted, and the maximum penalty is $1,000 per incident.
• It should be noted that civil penalties may only be imposed in cases where the commission has determined
• that discipline is warranted, and the maximum penalty is $1,000 per incident.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate y'all's dedication for staying until this late hour.
• I understand that it's very late, and I really appreciate it.
• There's a way to get this bill out, but it is late.
• This was a very good conversation, especially given the late hour. Is there anyone else?
• It's late; I didn't hear that. I'm sorry.

Bills: HB1341 , HB1674 , HB4028 , SB2321

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, where do I file an ethics complaint this late Speaker: in the session?
• They have to obey all of our laws, Madam Speaker, gentle lady, they have to file taxes federally and
• The bill says daily and maximum civil penalties for a person who Representative Block: owns oil and gas
• It increases the penalties, or does it decrease the penalties?
• Representative Block: Does it have to be filed with the PRC or somebody?

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm honored to speak in strong support of S-147, legislation that I co-filed with my colleague, Senator
• I also see many no-fault cases being filed because the tenants simply could...
• S. 1447 filed by Senator Jalen and Senator Gomez. My name is Precious Jones.
• I could not find an apartment in the time allowed, so he filed for no-fault eviction.
• Stop the punishments of loss of grants, housing penalties, and legal exposure.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a long public hearing focused mainly on two sets of issues: proposals to amend or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, and bills to allow local rent stabilization. Committee chairs opened by explaining the hearing would be tightly managed because of the very large number of speakers, with testimony limited to two minutes per person and written testimony still accepted by email. Members and witnesses were called in a mix of in-person and virtual order throughout the hearing. On the MBTA Communities Act, several legislators and local officials argued the law is too rigid and should be revised to account for local conditions. Speakers from small, rural, or infrastructure-limited communities such as Hanson, Halifax, Marshfield, Winthrop, Dracut, Carver, Rehoboth, and others said the law’s one-size-fits-all approach does not fit towns with limited water, sewer, transit access, or buildable land. Some filed bills would repeal the law, exempt certain communities, or create appeals processes based on infrastructure, environmental, or historical constraints. Supporters of the law’s changes emphasized local control and the need to avoid forcing development where communities believe it is impractical or inconsistent with town character. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to rent stabilization legislation, especially S. 1447 and related House bills. Supporters included legislators, city councilors, tenant advocates, labor leaders, housing nonprofits, public health organizations, and residents who described sharp rent increases, displacement, homelessness risk, and the strain on working families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. They argued local-option rent stabilization would let municipalities cap excessive increases and prevent no-fault evictions while preserving flexibility for local conditions. Opponents, including small landlords and property owners, said rent control would discourage investment, worsen housing quality, burden responsible owners, and drive small landlords out of the market. Some witnesses also supported a Cape Cod/Island transfer fee bill and a suburban infrastructure fund, arguing those would provide local revenue for housing or roads. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> inappropriately used or falsely filed. inappropriately used or falsely filed.
• </c> All were denied and proper penalties All were denied and proper penalties were<00:57:26.319><c>
• </c> to file to file on<02:06:02.880><c> beh</c> on beh on beh direction<02:06:05.119><c> and</c><02:
• And so um uh criminal penalties.
• </c> they could under penalty of perjury. they could under penalty of perjury.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, our testimony somehow was not filed correctly. Chip stands in strong support of this measure.
• We submitted late testimony, and I really apologize that it was late on this issue, but we are concerned
• Um so, we submitted late<01:33:13.920><c> testimony,</c><01:33:14.320><c> and</c><01:33:14.480><c> I<
• <c> issue,</c><01:33:17.600><c> but</c> that it was late um on this issue, but that it was late um on
• </c><01:43:27.520><c> for</c> provide for fines and penalties for provide for fines and penalties for

Bills: SB2275 , SB2390 , SB2540 , SB3142 , SB2414 , SB2340 , SB2848

Committee: House Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to establish a penalty of not less than 250 and nor more than a thousand for violations of this
• I want to establish a penalty of not less than 250 and nor more than a thousand for violations of this
• I want to establish a penalty of not less than 250 and nor more than a thousand for violations of this
• Um, uh, sorry about the late testimony.
• It kind of throw their whole taxation filing whatever system off. Is that what he mentioned?

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.