Transcript Highlights:

• That's why<04:36:47.119> Texas<04:36:47.680> Texas<04:36:47.680> Texas<04:36:48.719
• > added<04:36:49.119> more<04:36:49.359> solar why Texas Texas Texas added more
• solar why Texas Texas Texas added more solar and<04:36:49.920> wind<04:36:50.160> energy
• Pursuant to House Resolution 722, the resolution is considered read.
• resolution. Those in favor say I. resolution. Those in favor say I.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will report the resolution. House Calendar No. 59, House Resolution 1032.
• Upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order to consider in the House the joint resolution,
• codify certain resolution, House Joint Resolution 142, resolution, House Joint Resolution 142, disapproving
• consideration of the joint resolution consideration of the joint resolution are<00:10:30.880>
• The joint resolution are waved.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a 23-year prosecutor who has seen almost every type of crime here in Texas.
• statewide experts to transform Texas' response to sexual violence.
• I represent the Safe Alliance in Austin, Texas.
• Last session, the seminal program for Texas game wardens was passed.
• I'm the criminal district attorney in Smith County, which is Tyler, Texas.

Bills: HB75, HB108

Keywords: building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrently, when FDLE started this program... A huge need for that.
• Concurrently, when FDLE started this program, they also did some research on officer suicide—true numbers
• The trauma therapy they use is accelerated resolution therapy. And then collaborative care.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to hear budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), an FDLE update on the Uniform Arrest Affidavit and Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBERS), the Department of Juvenile Justice on Florida Scholars Academy, and the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. FDLE requested funding for a wide range of items, including a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology upgrades for missing persons alerts and criminal justice data systems, replacement breath-test instruments, recurring support for critical public safety contracts, cybersecurity, a career offender registry unit, expanded wellness and peer support for law enforcement, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, vehicle replacement, forensic lab and digital forensics upgrades, a repaired Jacksonville firearm range, and additional resources for criminal alien detection, fentanyl enforcement, and other operational needs. Senators questioned FDLE about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, body cameras, masking by officers, public records request burdens, and the status of criminal alien detection funding. FDLE’s second presentation explained that FIBERS is Florida’s incident-based crime reporting system and that 61% of agencies, covering 74% of the population, have transitioned to it. The agency also described the Uniform Arrest Affidavit initiative, which standardizes arrest data for statewide sharing. Senators asked about NCIC/FCIC access, hate crime reporting requirements, and why more agencies have not adopted the UAA and FIBERS systems; FDLE said it is working with law enforcement associations and vendors to address technology and implementation barriers. The committee also heard from DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh, who praised FDLE’s wellness program and then reported on Florida Scholars Academy’s first year, including unified education across 39 residential facilities, security fixes after early website access issues, strong enrollment and graduation numbers, and extensive support for students with disabilities. Walsh said the program still faces staffing shortages and a wait list for residential beds, and estimated about 260 additional beds are needed. The final presentation came from Clerk of Court and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield, who said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels and requested $22 million to stabilize operations. She highlighted reimbursement shortfalls for injunctions for protection and other high-risk cases, rising postage and summons costs, and the need to fund clerk staffing for 37 new judges under the “fund the entire courtroom” concept. Senators asked about SB 532, a CPI-based court-fee bill, and about collections of court fines and fees. Butterfield said clerks work with defendants on payment plans and collections, but the system still faces a structural deficit. After the presentations and questions, the committee adjourned without taking any substantive votes or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• and predictable for Texas insurers.
• Albert Betts, Insurance Council of Texas. It's late. You're probably tired.
• The last session, Texas Watch compiled data on the impact of auto appraisal for Texas insured, and their
• The Texas Office of Public Insurance Council report for the '88 Texas Legislative Regulation one was
• Chairman Dean: Chair calls Ware Wendell, Executive Director of Texas Watch.

Transcript Highlights:

• I attended university in Texas and law school in Texas, but I came back to New Mexico in 2006.
• Texas. I was in law school in Texas when they reformed in 2003.
• Texas is losing... Rural hospitals.
• And so what has happened is women are coming in across from El Paso, Texas, throughout Texas.
• In the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we get to the floor, is it possible to get a resolution of support?
• The Texas lottery has contributed more than $296 million to veteran programs.
• The Texas lottery has contributed more than $296 million to veteran programs.
• Texas and other states did so by creating a lottery scratch-off ticket to fund and Texas and other states
• It stems from a resolution passed about two years ago.

Bills: HB59, HB74, HB159, HB167, HB175, HB255, HB330, HB364, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB656, HB1033, HB1034, HB1070

Keywords: public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board

Summary: The committee met on April 15, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 656. It then heard HB 74, which would create a Louisiana Spectrum Alert for missing persons with autism. Representative Eccles said the alert would be modeled on Amber and senior alerts and could be absorbed within existing resources. The committee heard strong support from a mother of an autistic child, who described the dangers of elopement and drowning risk, and from members who said the bill could help save lives. HB 74 was reported favorably. Members then considered HB 1033 and HB 1034 by Chairman Bacala. HB 1033 expands the definition of critical infrastructure to include additional facilities such as airports, teleports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, mass transit, government facilities, military installations, and oil and gas exploration platforms; it was reported favorably. HB 1034 authorizes temporary protection zones for up to 72 hours when needed for public safety, with an amendment clarifying that the zones cannot be used in a way inconsistent with state firearms preemption law. The ACLU raised concerns about vagueness, possible overreach, and repeated renewals, while supporters said the bill was meant to address public safety events. The bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also heard HB 59, which would require East Baton Rouge Parish and its municipalities to fund the 19th Judicial District public defender’s office in a manner similar to the district attorney’s office. The author, the public defender, and the district attorney argued the bill would stabilize funding and prevent future political changes from crippling the office, while several members questioned whether it created an unfunded mandate and whether the language was too broad. Despite those concerns, HB 59 was reported favorably. HB 175 was then amended to replace a proposed veterans scratch-off lottery game with a Veterans Service Grant Fund financed by $500,000 annually from lottery net proceeds; supporters said the money would support veteran services and treatment programs, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee passed HB 568, which increases penalties for drug-free school zone violations involving open marijuana use, vaping, or smoking, especially near schools and large events. Supporters said current penalties are too weak to deter visible drug use around children, while opponents warned of over-criminalization and enforcement problems. HB 525, requiring DPS&C to publish incarceration-related data online, was amended to remove parish jail census data after the department said it would publish the rest of the information voluntarily; it was then reported favorably as amended. The committee then began HB 159, a Caddo Parish pretrial incarceration alternative pilot program, with discussion focused on adding language to ensure electronic monitoring providers comply with existing state requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We supported a resolution at the Honolulu City Council last year to support a similar formation of a
• We supported<00:15:46.480> a<00:15:47.120> resolution<00:15:47.600> at<00:15:47.760
• > the<00:15:47.920> county supported a resolution at the county supported a resolution
• , and I don't have those at concurrence, and I don't have those at prior<02:44:15.520> concurrence
• prior concurrence at this time. prior concurrence at this time.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure. The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure. The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.

Transcript Highlights:

• The same position in Texas is $19,000; in Colorado, $38,000.
• We have to go to Texas for everything.
• We ask that you give this resolution a due pass. Thank you.
• Texas is $7,200 per year for a 140-day session.
• We all have to go to Texas.

Bills: HB99, HJR5, HM39, HB206, HB213, SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any resolutions? We’ve got... Do we have any resolutions? No.
• We don’t have any resolutions. The Senate, on the amendment, please.
• Reports of a committee: The Committee on Rules, that two branches acting concurrently, to him is for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate. The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call. The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call. The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• News Texas Cable Association against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
• Larry Texas land USA LLC for the bill. If you would please come forward.
• Texas ranked as the 11th most deadliest state for pedestrians.
• Texas has 2,791 pedestrian deaths from 2013 to 2017 and 3,567. from 2018 to 2022.
• Texas Pedestrian... traffic deaths increased by 20 percent.

Bills: HB769, HB2132, HB3383, HB3792, HB5431, HB5682, HB5677, HB5678, HB5680, HB5681, HB5683, HB5684, HB5685, HB5686, HB4078

Keywords: environmental regulation, sustainability, business compliance, state oversight, local control, pollution, renewable resources, grant program, neighborhood organization, pedestrian infrastructure, Texas Department of Housing, financial assistance, neighborhood organizations, grants, urban development, safety, public safety, housing development, low income housing, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional support from the Texas Game Wardens and Texas DPS began arriving soon thereafter.
• Being out in West Texas.
• So we respond in Texas, from Texas to other states, and we see that as well.
• So the Texas team of dog teams—so we had 14 teams—the Texas teams took Cow Creek.
• And there are only two networks in Texas, Texas Mesonet and West Texas Mesonet, that meet this five-minute

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have you here on behalf of the Texas Court Reporters Association, registered for the bill.
• I really appreciate Megan, your staff working with us, the Texas Court Reporters Association and the
• Texas Deposition Reporters Association on this issue.
• an amicus letter that Amy Bresnan and I sent to the Third Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Texas
• The exclusive original jurisdiction in the Texas Supreme Court, uh, to address those, uh, issues, and

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met with a quorum present and took up House Bill 16, the omnibus courts bill that had been vetoed by the governor after the regular session. The committee substitute made several changes, including moving certain court creation dates, creating a new county court at law for Maverick County, repealing a missed youth diversion article, removing a civil preference for the 456th District Court in Guadalupe County, clarifying the digital court recording study makeup, correcting a drafting error involving prosecutors in the Special Prosecution Unit, and allowing the Office of the Attorney General to represent SPU prosecutors. Megan LaVoie of the Office of Court Administration testified as a resource witness in support of the bill and thanked the committee for working with the judiciary on the measure. Steve Bresnan of the Texas Court Reporters Association also testified in support of the bill, but used his time to urge action on a separate anti-SLAPP appeal that he said had been pending for 47 months; he distributed materials and proposed an amendment to impose deadlines on the courts, though he said he was not expecting discussion of it that day. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the substitute without objection. Representative Hayes moved that House Bill 16, as substituted, be reported favorably to the full House with the recommendation that it be passed and printed. The motion prevailed on a 10-0 vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look ahead, I'll be filing very shortly a bill on making Texas healthier, making Texas healthy
• And then as far as the server spaces, the Texas Private Cloud, both of those servers are in Texas—one
• for Texas state employees.
• I joined the TEC because I love Texas and wanted the opportunity to serve the people of Texas.
• The Texas Space Commission is a nonprofit organization that provides funding to the Texas Commission

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keep Texas competitive.
• or now out of the state of Texas.
• The Texas model, as DIR's structure is known by other states, of Texas.
• for Texas state employees.
• Sexual Assault, the Texas Council on Family Violence, Texas CASA, B-CFS, and CAC Texas.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is doing this in a neighboring state. So this is basically just ballot language.
• HB 165 does not appear to conflict with another instrument or with other joint resolutions introduced
• I'm here from Dallas, Texas, on behalf of my late brother, Trey Carlock, who's the namesake of Senate
• I only saw the NDA he signed for the first time in September 2025 after Texas passed Trey's Law, making
• I'm here from Dallas, Texas, on behalf of my late brother, Trey Carlock, who's the namesake of Senate

Summary: The Civil Law Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered House Bill 165 by Representative Abear, a constitutional amendment to dedicate $500,000 annually from lottery proceeds to a veterans service grant fund. The committee adopted a technical amendment removing “up to,” approved the 6.8A report, and reported the bill with amendments without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 185 by Senator Presley, which would make nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse victims against public policy and unenforceable. Senator Presley and Elizabeth Phillips testified in support, describing the bill as part of the “Trey’s Law” movement to prevent survivors from being silenced. Additional supportive testimony came from Gillian Edwards Coburn, and committee members discussed how NDAs work in civil cases and the need to protect children’s ability to speak. The bill was reported favorably without objection. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 77 by Senator Miller, a Law Institute measure on the effects of leases of movable property. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to protect good-faith lessees of items such as heavy equipment when a merchant leasing the property lacks authority to do so. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 140 by Senator Miller, which clarifies that multiple successions may be handled in the same proceeding when jurisdiction is proper. Members discussed the cost and efficiency benefits for families, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 603 by Representative Wright, a constitutional amendment authorizing state investment in digital assets and precious metals. Members questioned whether the language could include Bitcoin and how such investments would be monitored, with the sponsor saying implementation would be handled later by statute and public officials. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and then voted 5-3 to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two years later, Texas changed the law, allowed carrying in churches.
• Two years later, Texas changed the law, allowed carrying in churches.
• Two years later, Texas changed the law, allowed carrying in churches.
• A study from Texas A&M University found A study from Texas A&M University found that<00:15:30.440
• . resolution. resolution.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to add my concurrence that I plan to vote for ITL based on the evidence that we heard, and
• The committee adopts the resolution of ought to pass as amended on House Bill 189.
• On the other hand, our governor has said, and we actually have a pending House concurrent resolution
• But even if the resolution were to pass, it's non-binding; it's a resolution. market and and you know
• a it's a resolution<01:09:06.040> uh<01:09:06.400> representative resolution uh representative

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Um, we do have concurrent review.
• , concurrent review from electrical, concurrent review from electrical, water,<01:29:09.199> construction
• Once >> Um, we do have concurrent review.
• >> Uh, no, we run it concurrently.
• for their review. concurrent or is it you know planning concurrent or is it you know planning division

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution that you have before you would rescind all prior Article 5 resolutions from Massachusetts
• Significantly, this lawsuit featured Massachusetts resolutions in their count, including a 1977 resolution
• This resolution is the exact same resolution filed in both the House and the Senate, and it's great that
• We therefore support this joint resolution to send all previous Massachusetts resolutions calling for
• I speak to you in support of a resolution to I speak to you in support of Resolution 2457 that speaks

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.