Transcript Highlights:

• :32:04.320><c> uh</c><00:32:04.480><c> by</c><00:32:04.799><c> region</c><00:32:05.159><c> and</c><00
• <00:32:11.120><c> uh</c><00:32:11.279><c> but</c><00:32:11.519><c> it</c><00:32:11.840><c> it</c><00:
• ><00:32:13.679><c> in</c><00:32:13.919><c> some</c><00:32:14.120><c> regions</c><00:32:14.519><c> for
• your</c><00:32:15.600><c> portion</c><00:32:15.919><c> of</c><00:32:16.039><c> the</c><00:32:16.240>
• <c> the</c><00:32:19.720><c> one</c><00:32:19.840><c> you</c><00:32:19.919><c> were</c><00:32:20.039>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, by way of background, Laws 2014, Chapter 259 establishes trampoline court regulations, including
• strike-everything amendment in your name, dated March 17, 2026, at 10:48 a.m., amends Laws 2014, Chapter
• strike-everything amendment in your name, dated March 17, 2026, at 10:48 a.m., amends Laws 2014, Chapter
• At 10:48 a.m., amends Laws 2014, Chapter 259 to designate the legislation as Ty's Law.
• I move the 21-page amendment to HB 2621 in Senator Ingus' name, dated March 24 at 2:32 p.m., be adopted

Summary: The committee first considered the executive nomination of John Snyder to the State Board for Charter Schools. Snyder described his background in municipal finance, charter school financings, and prior service with Arizona charter school organizations, and said his finance experience would help the board evaluate school viability and oversight. The committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard HB 2093, which would remove the statutory requirement that health education include mental health instruction and would repeal related consultation requirements over time. The sponsor argued schools should focus on academics and that social-emotional learning and mental health content belong with parents, while opponents, including students, a suicide-loss parent, and mental health advocates, said school-based instruction saves lives, helps students seek help, and preserves parental choice through opt-out provisions. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give HB 2093 a do pass recommendation. Members also considered HB 4043, requiring at least one campus employee trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use where applicable; HB 4005, requiring districts to teach ethical and educational uses of AI beginning in 2027-28; HB 2895, allowing Native American language proficiency to satisfy a world language graduation requirement; HB 2383, renaming trampoline court safety legislation as Ty’s Law; HB 4109, requiring school district public safety policies, notifications, and annual reporting after serious violence or weapon incidents; HB 2376, appropriating $40 million for the school safety program; and HB 2380, requiring public access to board meeting materials and tighter rules on out-of-state travel. HB 4043, HB 2895, and HB 2383 all received unanimous or near-unanimous do pass recommendations, while HB 4005, HB 4109, HB 2376, and HB 2380 each advanced on 4-3 votes, with some members citing concerns about unfunded mandates, criminal penalties, local control, or the scope and timing of required disclosures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:46.719><c> family</c><01:32:47.040><c> housing</c><01:32:47.560><c> raised</c><01:32:48.080
• raised by 80% and<01:32:49.159><c> by</c><01:32:49.280><c> 10</c><01:32:49.480><c> to</c><01:32:49.679
• :52.440><c> and</c><01:32:52.560><c> if</c><01:32:52.679><c> I</c><01:32:52.800><c> further</c><01:32
• ><c> is</c><03:32:14.520><c> still</c><03:32:15.279><c> up</c><03:32:15.479><c> for</c><03:32:15.960>
• ><03:32:18.760><c> we</c><03:32:18.920><c> should</c><03:32:19.239><c> not</c><03:32:19.479><c> be</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:02.559><c> I</c><00:32:02.960><c> am</c><00:32:03.120><c> a</c><00:32:03.440><c> junior</c
• :32:08.799><c> very</c><00:32:09.200><c> worried</c><00:32:09.600><c> about</c><00:32:09.840><c> the<
• way ICE<00:32:11.279><c> is</c><00:32:11.519><c> coming</c><00:32:11.760><c> to</c><00:32:12.000><c>
• > they</c><00:32:14.159><c> will</c><00:32:14.320><c> be</c><00:32:14.559><c> soon</c><00:32:14.880><
• :32:22.000><c> this</c><00:32:22.240><c> bill</c><00:32:22.559><c> will</c><00:32:22.799><c> keep</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Legislative District 32, Bonneville County, and Idaho Falls.
• controller, which is to store, maintain, and publish a current list of asset forfeitures pursuant to chapter
• controller, which is to store, maintain, and publish a current list of asset forfeitures pursuant to chapter

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They deliver, they provide these Courses in over 90 of our public schools in 32 communities across New
• We fund chapter houses. We fund city projects. We fund projects all over the state.
• It's really easy; you just call your Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter near you and say, 'I want to be

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:25.360><c> designed</c><01:32:25.840><c> to</c><01:32:26.080><c> hold</c><01:32:26.560><c>
• </c><01:32:29.560><c> we</c><01:32:29.719><c> currently</c><01:32:30.560><c> have</c><01:32:31.239><c
• ><c> inmates</c><01:32:35.119><c> there</c><01:32:35.360><c> because</c><01:32:35.679><c> we</c><01:32
• :54.000><c> to</c><01:32:54.239><c> place</c><01:32:54.560><c> them</c><01:32:55.280><c> this</c><01:
• 25%</c><01:32:58.440><c> of</c><01:32:58.520><c> them</c><01:32:58.639><c> home</c><01:32:58.840><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill, House 12, makes some common-sense changes to the thresholds in Chapter 30B, House 12
• makes some common-sense changes to the thresholds in Chapter 30B.
• Chapter 30B is the law that municipalities, along with some other governmental entities, must follow
• Snow plowing is exempt from Chapter 30B, but snow hauling and snow removal are not.
• It proposes a simple change to Chapter 30B.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• coming</c><00:32:04.640><c> up</c><00:32:04.799><c> at</c><00:32:05.039><c> their</c><00:32:05.279><
• </c><00:32:13.200><c> a</c><00:32:13.440><c> complaint</c><00:32:14.399><c> and</c><00:32:14.559><c>
• <c> what</c><00:32:15.760><c> we</c><00:32:16.000><c> have</c><00:32:16.159><c> seen</c><00:32:16.720
• 00:32:20.320><c> outside</c><00:32:20.799><c> forces</c><00:32:21.360><c> coming</c><00:32:21.600><c>
• </c><00:32:27.039><c> Is</c><00:32:27.360><c> this</c><00:32:27.679><c> opening</c><00:32:28.399><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:02.120><c> do</c><00:32:02.279><c> it</c><00:32:02.679><c> it</c><00:32:02.840><c> does</c> can't
• /c><00:32:03.440><c> on</c><00:32:03.600><c> to</c><00:32:03.919><c> tell</c><00:32:04.720><c> the</c
• </c><00:32:12.799><c> but</c><00:32:13.120><c> that</c><00:32:13.399><c> is</c><00:32:13.639><c> did<
• just<00:32:14.399><c> says</c><00:32:14.720><c> that</c><00:32:14.919><c> patrons</c><00:32:15.399><
• want</c><00:32:28.320><c> to</c><00:32:28.519><c> add</c><00:32:28.720><c> another</c><00:32:29.080><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:11.760><c> elected</c><01:32:12.080><c> members</c><01:32:12.320><c> of</c><01:32:12.480><
• Uh this was<01:32:55.120><c> scheduled</c><01:32:55.440><c> to</c><01:32:55.679><c> be</c><01:32:55.840
• discuss</c><02:32:09.600><c> by</c><02:32:09.920><c> having</c><02:32:10.399><c> an</c><02:32:10.960
• 32:14.000><c> people</c><02:32:14.880><c> and</c><02:32:15.439><c> not</c><02:32:15.680><c> be</c><02
• 32:30.640><c> you</c><02:32:30.880><c> do</c><02:32:31.040><c> the</c><02:32:31.280><c> same.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um</c><00:32:06.200><c> thank</c><00:32:06.360><c> you</c><00:32:06.519><c> all</c><00:32:06.799><c>
• <00:32:17.799><c> all</c><00:32:17.960><c> right</c><00:32:18.240><c> thank</c><00:32:18.399><c> you<
• <00:32:23.039><c> we</c><00:32:23.159><c> will</c><00:32:23.320><c> hear</c><00:32:23.559><c> from</c
• ><c> so</c><00:32:28.039><c> the</c><00:32:28.159><c> first</c><00:32:28.799><c> uh</c><00:32:29.000>
• :32:47.559><c> Hunter</c><00:32:47.840><c> Peterson</c><00:32:48.320><c> and</c><00:32:48.440><c> I</

Bills: HF1704

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, closing: 32 yeas and zero nays. HCR 28 has been concurred in.
• Madam Secretary, close the machine: 32 yeas and 13 nays.
• Secretary will close the machine. 32 yeas and 0 nays. The bill is finally passed.
• So ordered. 32 yeas and zero nays, and the bill is finally passed.
• Secretary, close the machines. 32 yeas and 0 nays. The bill is finally passed.

Bills: SR146, SCR12, HB221, HCR115, HCR116, HCR58, HB1, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3, HB2, HB3, SCR3, SB56, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR27, HCR28, HCR66, HCR67, HCR72, HCR5, HCR32, HCR49, HCR50, HCR53, HCR60, HCR62, HCR64, HCR68, HCR78, HCR81, HCR86, HCR97, HCR102, HCR31, HCR47, HB476, HB481, HB487, HB492, HB549, HB579, HB608, HB621, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB637, HB656, HB722, HB745, HB804, HB818, HB821, HB833, HB864, HB867, HB874, HB893, HB909, HB951, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB979, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1005, HB1007, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1051, HB1056, HB1059, HB1077, HB1080, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1112, HB1153, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1193, HB1204, HB1218, HB1242, HB1244, HB1249, HB1252, HB1254, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB330, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB971, HB1017, HB1234, HB1235, HB9, HB177, HB181, HB202, HB223, HB225, HB387, HB398, HB457, HB459, HB540, HB591, HB616, HB766, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB906, HB950, HB975, HB1052, HB1057, HB1076, HB1100, HB1139, HB1155, HB1160, HB1182, HB1186, HB1220, HB1223, HB1224, HB1228, HB1231, HB1245, HB1256, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB310, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB403, HB571, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB812, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1038, HB1107, SB29, SB42, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB441, SB449, SB487, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB43, SB149

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing the New York Chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
• RECOGNIZING THE NEW YORK CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE.
• ASSEMBLYMEMBER KIM, AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHAPTER 704 OF THE LAWS OF 1991.
• And so, as I mentioned earlier, here we are with Chapter 2.
• Section 32. This act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on June 3, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through a long list of discharge motions and substitutions to place many bills on the third reading calendar. The chamber also adopted Resolution J.2314 honoring the New York chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, with remarks emphasizing domestic workers’ role in care work, labor organizing, and protections such as paid sick leave and family leave. Another adopted resolution, J.2298, mourned labor and social justice advocate Minerva Solla, with senators highlighting her work with 1199, the Young Lords, Puerto Rican solidarity efforts, and women’s organizing. A third resolution recognized Olympic curler Daniel Casper for representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Games. The Senate then confirmed a large slate of judicial and executive nominations. It accepted the Judiciary Committee report and confirmed four interim Supreme Court justices, seven Court of Claims judges, and 21 reappointments/extensions by a vote of 44-12. The Finance Committee report was also accepted, and the Senate confirmed a broad set of appointments to state boards and authorities, including the MTA, State Commission of Correction, Power Authority, NYSERDA, Financial Control Board, public health councils, SUNY and Cornell boards, gaming and bridge authorities, and others. One notable confirmation was Alexander Dockery to the State Commission of Correction; supporters called it the first time a formerly incarcerated person had been confirmed to that commission, while Senator Murray criticized the practice of voting on large nomination blocks rather than individually. The chamber then took up and passed many bills, mostly by wide margins, covering labor, health, education, transportation, public service, criminal justice, municipal, tax, insurance, and environmental topics. Several members explained their votes on major measures: Senator Ramos supported a bill modernizing temporary disability benefits and another protecting construction workers from lost pay when jobs are canceled; Senator Baskin spoke about a correction bill tied to the death of India Cummings; Senator Skoufis described a family-court custody bill intended to prioritize child safety; Senator Mayer backed a proposal to reimburse parents of medically fragile children for providing care; and Senator Hinchey defended a bill requiring employers to report AI-related job impacts, while Senator Borrello opposed it as burdensome. Most bills were passed, some were laid aside, and the session concluded with multiple roll-call votes and confirmations before adjournment-related business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursu<00:32:02.799><c> one</c><00:32:03.039><c> to</c><00:32:03.200><c> clause</c><00:32:03.600><c> 12A
• The chair<00:32:05.840><c> declares</c><00:32:06.320><c> the</c><00:32:06.480><c> house</c><00:32:06.720
• ><07:32:28.558><c> Act</c><07:32:28.878><c> would</c><07:32:29.120><c> undo</c><07:32:29.520><c> the<
• </c><07:32:34.240><c> This</c><07:32:34.478><c> will</c><07:32:34.718><c> ensure</c><07:32:35.040><c>
• 32:55.120><c> and</c><07:32:55.440><c> pass</c><07:32:55.680><c> the</c><07:32:55.920><c> fair</c><07

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> say</c><00:32:03.039><c> it's</c><00:32:03.200><c> not</c><00:32:03.360><c> the</c><00:32:03.519
• </c><00:32:05.760><c> So</c><00:32:05.840><c> I'm</c><00:32:06.000><c> going</c><00:32:06.000><c> to<
• So I'm going to tell<00:32:06.159><c> you</c><00:32:06.320><c> it's</c><00:32:06.480><c> a</c><00:32:
• Um,<00:32:21.600><c> so</c><00:32:21.919><c> again,</c><00:32:22.399><c> if</c><00:32:22.640><c> you<
• 00:32:24.080><c> in,</c><00:32:24.320><c> they</c><00:32:24.480><c> had</c><00:32:24.559><c> a</c><00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and adopted the consent calendar without objection. It then took up Department of Safety Rule 25161 on administrative license suspension forms. After discussion of a staff concern that the rule text should expressly require a defendant’s signature or refusal to sign, and the officer’s witness signature, the agency agreed to revised language. The committee voted to grant conditional approval with those edits. The committee next considered Department of Agriculture rule 192, concerning importation of bovines and domestic animals. Staff identified several issues, including an overly broad federal citation, an unclear definition of infection, a possible conflict between provisions on telephone-issued permits and documents that must be carried, and missing struck-through repeal language. Because the department had not proposed written fixes, members moved to postpone the item until next month, and the motion passed. A second Agriculture item, 25207, was discussed as a long-expired set of rules that the agency said were still needed to run its programs; the committee granted conditional approval. The Public Utilities Commission’s competitive natural gas supplier and aggregator rules prompted the most extensive debate. Staff argued the cited statutes did not clearly authorize the commission to impose fines on natural gas suppliers, while the agency responded that authority could be read from related Department of Energy transition language and general rulemaking provisions. Members discussed whether the issue reflected a statutory gap created when responsibilities were split between the Department of Energy and the commission. The committee ultimately voted to waive and postpone the item to next month so the attorneys could work out the authority question. The committee also postponed Department of Energy items 219 and 220 at the agency’s request, and it noted that the Liquor Commission’s emergency rule had been revised to reduce reporting from monthly to quarterly before being reissued, with the item also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> so</c><00:32:21.279><c> um</c><00:32:21.480><c> it</c><00:32:21.600><c> has</c><00:32:21.720><c>
• um</c><00:32:24.960><c> a</c><00:32:25.080><c> lot</c><00:32:25.240><c> of</c><00:32:25.559><c> our</
• <00:32:34.080><c> to</c><00:32:34.399><c> incentivize</c><00:32:35.039><c> folks</c><00:32:35.480><c>
• 00:32:46.960><c> to</c><00:32:47.120><c> Corral</c><00:32:47.519><c> people</c><00:32:47.720><c> who<
• want<00:32:48.159><c> to</c><00:32:48.320><c> be</c><00:32:48.559><c> there</c><00:32:49.039><c> and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Judiciary-related measures. SB 94 would increase the mandatory minimum jail term for a first knowing or intentional violation of a temporary restraining order from 48 to 72 hours. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposed the bill, arguing the current penalty is effective, the measure treats very different conduct the same, and the mental health assessment language is unclear and could be harmful or misapplied. Some other testifiers were listed in support or opposition, but no vote was taken. SB 15 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. The Hawaiʻi Financial Services Association offered comments rather than opposition, suggesting the bill should be clarified as applying to creditor claims rather than property taxes and possibly limited to a primary residence, with restrictions on frequency of use. Committee discussion focused on how the exemption would affect unsecured creditors, the role of recorded mortgages and judgment liens, and whether the bill should instead establish a clearer homestead-style exemption. The bill drew both support and comments, with no action taken during the hearing. The committee also took testimony on SB 117, which would protect people making sexual misconduct claims from defamation suits unless made with malice; SB 121, a constitutional amendment to give the Senate more time to confirm judicial appointments; SB 14, a reapportionment amendment tied to the decennial census and resident population; SB 175, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices from 70 to 75; SB 173, creating a three-year pilot program for free child care for minor children of parties and witnesses attending First Circuit court hearings; and SB 261, increasing juror pay from $30 to $50 per day. Testimony on these measures was generally supportive in the case of SB 175, SB 173, and SB 261, with some opposition on SB 14 and SB 117. On SB 173 and SB 261, committee members asked questions about practical implementation, and on SB 261 the State Bar Association said the increase was overdue and intended to encourage jury participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.679><c> this</c><00:32:01.840><c> bill</c><00:32:02.000><c> was</c><00:32:02.159><c> to
• was to move forward<00:32:02.640><c> was</c><00:32:02.880><c> to</c><00:32:03.360><c> maybe</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:08.159><c> So,</c><00:32:08.960><c> um,</c><00:32:09.360><c> you</c><00:32:09.519><c> know
• So, with<00:32:18.559><c> that,</c><00:32:18.960><c> happy</c><00:32:19.200><c> to</c><00:32:19.440><
• :32:49.279><c> be</c><04:32:50.080><c> um</c><04:32:50.319><c> you</c><04:32:50.479><c> know</c><04:32

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:44.719><c> In</c><01:32:44.960><c> those</c><01:32:45.120><c> cases</c><01:32:45.440><c> where
• A<01:32:57.679><c> SNAP</c><01:32:58.080><c> restriction</c><01:32:58.560><c> also</c><01:32:58.880><
• ><c> that</c><04:32:50.399><c> it</c><04:32:50.640><c> would</c><04:32:50.800><c> not</c><04:32:51.279
• ><04:32:57.439><c> but</c><04:32:57.600><c> I</c><04:32:57.760><c> am</c><04:32:57.840><c> going</c><
• to ask<04:32:58.239><c> Miss</c><04:32:58.479><c> Naution</c><04:32:58.960><c> because</c><04:32:59.120

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:57.600><c> And</c><00:32:57.840><c> the</c><00:32:58.240><c> uh</c><00:32:58.880><c> you</
• a</c><01:32:03.760><c> lot</c><01:32:03.840><c> of</c><01:32:03.920><c> reading</c><01:32:04.239><c>
• There's a lot<01:32:06.000><c> of</c><01:32:06.080><c> fudging</c><01:32:06.560><c> of</c><01:32:06.719
• > to</c><01:32:11.120><c> make</c><01:32:11.280><c> it</c><01:32:11.520><c> look</c><01:32:12.000><c>
• :13.440><c> and</c><01:32:13.760><c> good</c><01:32:14.000><c> for</c><01:32:14.159><c> the</c><01:32

Keywords: 1187, senate, all