Transcript Highlights:

• 00:35:18.480> process<00:35:18.880> him<00:35:19.440> in<00:35:19.680> and
• <00:35:38.160> didn't<00:35:38.480> know<00:35:38.640> he<00:35:38.880> had
• <00:35:49.119> the<00:35:49.599> invasive<00:35:50.320> tactics<00:35:50.800
• :51.760> and<00:35:52.079> costs<00:35:52.400> to<00:35:52.560> the<00:35
• So<00:35:54.880> once<00:35:55.200> he<00:35:55.440> came<00:35:55.760> here<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:25.280> Um,<00:35:25.599> so<00:35:25.760> at<00:35:25.920> the
• year,<00:35:27.680> so<00:35:27.839> those<00:35:28.079> 81%<00:35:28.640>
• The<00:35:36.400> cost<00:35:36.640> for<00:35:36.800> a<00:35:36.960> child<
• right<00:35:39.359> now<00:35:39.520> for<00:35:39.680> the<00:35:39.839>
• c><00:35:41.200> care<00:35:41.359> is<00:35:41.520> at<00:35:41.760> six

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met with a quorum and approved the July 8 minutes. It then deferred several items from the July agenda, including a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was not yet registered with the Secretary of State, and a University of Louisville contract at the university’s request. The committee also deferred a behavioral health memorandum of agreement and later a Department of Community Based Services contract after questions were raised about the scope of services and the need for additional information. The most extensive discussion involved the Seven Counties Services contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities. Committee members questioned why the state continues to contract with Seven Counties despite its bankruptcy and pension-related liabilities, how the funding split was determined, whether the services are statutorily required, and whether the state or another provider could deliver the services more efficiently. Agency representatives said Seven Counties is the sole provider of core community mental health services in its region, serves about 24,500 people, and that service needs and acuity remain high even as the number served has declined. A cabinet attorney said the bankruptcy dispute is ongoing and involves roughly $20 million in contested retirement contributions, though members suggested the amount may be higher. Members also raised broader concerns about whether local governments, especially Metro Louisville, should contribute more toward services tied to social determinants of health, and whether the contract includes services beyond what statute requires. The committee requested additional information on the contract scope and possible offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities, and then voted to defer the Seven Counties contract to the next meeting. The committee also heard a separate DCBS presentation on the Youth Villages Intercept program, where staff explained it was selected because it is an approved evidence-based Family First prevention service, provides intensive in-home and foster care stabilization services, and is headquartered in Tennessee but operates across Kentucky; members asked for clarification on Medicaid billing and additional funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• These DHS<00:35:11.680> agents<00:35:12.079> have<00:35:12.320> no<00:35:12.880>
• <00:35:17.280> I<00:35:17.520> have<00:35:17.680> to<00:35:17.839> ask,
• <00:35:26.079> I<00:35:26.240> was<00:35:26.400> one<00:35:26.560> of
• I was one of the<00:35:26.880> last<00:35:27.119> members<00:35:27.359> of<00:35
• I remember<00:35:31.599> hiding<00:35:31.920> on<00:35:32.079> my<00:35:32.320><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > for<00:35:02.800> us<00:35:02.960> to<00:35:03.040> to<00:35:03.440>
• > we<00:35:11.119> rolled<00:35:11.440> out<00:35:11.599> to<00:35:11.760
• c><00:35:45.680> those<00:35:45.920> are<00:35:46.079> questions<00:35:46.320>
• that we had<00:35:46.800> to<00:35:47.040> hence<00:35:47.280> the<00:35:47.440
• <00:35:49.839> um<00:35:50.880> in<00:35:51.119> a<00:35:51.280> case

Bills: HB1838, HB1870, HB2445, HB2540, HB1886, HB1839, HB2269, HB1939, HB2037, HB1635, HB1941, HB1576, HB2568, HB2267, HB2590, HB2266, HB2597, HB2499, HB2500, HB2502, HB2607, HB2137, HB2357, HB1782

Keywords: HB1838, Hawaii, Act 142, U visa, T visa, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, immigration certification, visa certification, Form I-918 Supplement B, Form I-914 Supplement B, noncitizen victims, crime victim, human trafficking, victim helpfulness, law enforcement certification, prosecutor certification, judicial review, circuit court, confidentiality

Summary: The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments. The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:35:09.280> think<00:35:10.240> if<00:35:10.560> we<00:35:10.720> want
• ><00:35:10.800> to<00:35:10.960> move<00:35:11.119> forward<00:35:11.440> on<
• today,<00:35:12.400> then<00:35:12.640> I<00:35:12.800> think<00:35:12.880>
• <00:35:18.400> we<00:35:18.640> can<00:35:19.119> push<00:35:19.440> it
• 35:15.280> ITL<01:35:16.000> and<01:35:16.320> if<01:35:16.560> the<01:35

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• :35:09.359> uh,<00:35:09.599> has<00:35:10.000> it's<00:35:10.400> grown<
• and, uh,<00:35:11.839> the,<00:35:12.320> uh,<00:35:12.480> demand<00:35:12.800>
• <00:35:26.880> We<00:35:27.359> grow<00:35:27.599> our<00:35:27.839> own<
• <00:35:36.640> um<00:35:37.440> we<00:35:37.760> do<00:35:38.000> give
• :35:33.840> was<01:35:34.000> to<01:35:34.159> be<01:35:34.320> fed<01:35

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 302, which would update New Hampshire’s solid waste facility background-check law so the state can continue to access federal FBI criminal databases for checks on key owners and officers. Senator Howard Pearl and DES Waste Management Director Mike Whimsatt said the bill is the third attempt to correct prior drafting problems that prevented the FBI from accepting the language. They explained that the existing statute has long required background checks for hazardous and solid waste facility applicants because of concerns about organized crime, but the current wording is too ambiguous for federal use. The bill also includes technical corrections, clarifies which company officers must be checked, specifies which DES officials receive the results, and removes the Department of Justice as an unnecessary middleman. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, whether family members are covered, who pays the cost, and whether permits have ever been denied; Whimsatt said the applicant still pays, the checks focus on key officers, and at least one permit had been denied in the past due to a felony conviction. The hearing then closed, with one person listed in favor on the blue sheet and no opposition noted online. The committee then opened Senate Bill 229, which would allow retailers to sell uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat and remove the sunset on the existing program. Senator Pearl said the bill would expand market opportunities for farmers while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, including identifying the meat as uninspected and maintaining records of the source farms. Representative Bixby, who had worked on earlier legislation, explained the current framework in detail: the animals are raised on closed farms, must be fenced, cannot be newly imported, and are subject to annual veterinary herd inspections and recordkeeping. He said the prior bison inspection regime was too burdensome for farmers to maintain, and the current law was intended as a workable compromise. Questions from members focused on how many farms participate, how many animals have been sold, and whether the program posed disease risks; the witness said he did not know the exact numbers, and Bixby said the existing import and fencing rules help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering the state. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left before the committee for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• :35:03.920> in<00:35:04.000> the<00:35:04.160> Minnesota<00:35:04.480> case
• fiscal<00:35:05.280> the<00:35:05.359> agency<00:35:05.599> can<00:35:05.760
• <00:35:07.040> that<00:35:08.000> um<00:35:08.240> that<00:35:08.480> that's<
• > most<00:35:09.839> likely<00:35:10.160> outcome<00:35:10.640> and<00:35
• <00:35:11.839> of<00:35:12.000> confidence<00:35:12.320> of<00:35:12.480>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Office Oversight Commission met on January 22, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the December 17, 2025 meeting. The main presentation was by Erikica McKeler of the National Conference of State Legislatures on dynamic fiscal notes, dynamic scoring, and how they differ from static fiscal notes. She explained that dynamic analysis tries to capture broader economic and behavioral effects of policy changes, but that most states have experimented with it only briefly, often for tax bills, and many have later scaled back or abandoned the practice because it is staff-intensive, expensive, and difficult to validate. McKeler highlighted examples from Texas, Utah, and Arkansas. Texas requires dynamic fiscal impact statements for certain large tax or fee measures and for the biennial appropriations bill; Utah has done such analyses on request during the interim but only when staff time allows; and Arkansas recently began producing dynamic fiscal notes with thresholds and request limits. She noted that these states generally use REMI software, though Utah switched to IMPLAN for cost reasons. She also outlined common challenges, including the need for strong staff expertise, the sensitivity of results to assumptions, the expense of software licenses, and the difficulty of measuring accuracy over time. Members then discussed whether dynamic scoring could be useful for health and human services programs where a policy may shift costs between settings rather than create a simple new expense. Senator Marty raised a Medicaid example involving home-based blue light therapy for newborns, arguing that dynamic analysis might better capture potential savings from avoiding longer hospital stays. Legislative Budget Office and Minnesota Management and Budget staff responded that such effects may be better understood as direct program substitutions rather than true dynamic effects, and emphasized the need for reliable data and caution because savings estimates could reduce appropriations if they do not materialize. The discussion also touched on whether dynamic models would capture local government impacts, but no formal action was taken beyond the approval of minutes and receipt of the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• > like<04:35:09.119> on<04:35:09.359> termination<04:35:09.920> of<04:35:
• <04:35:13.760> name<04:35:13.920> the<04:35:14.080> defendant<04:35:14.400><
• 04:35:17.439> them<04:35:17.680> or<04:35:17.920> the<04:35:18.080> home<
• Um I'm<04:35:20.080> I'm<04:35:20.480> okay<04:35:20.639> with<04:35:20.799>
• And then you added um<04:35:32.000> SP<04:35:32.400> 204<04:35:32.879> and<04:35

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting covered two committee of conference items. On HB 1260, the House and Senate debated a Senate amendment dealing with sealing certain divorce-related financial records. House members argued the amendment conflicted with the Keane Sentinel decision and would improperly flip the burden of proof on public access to court records, raising constitutional concerns under the state constitution’s open government and privacy provisions. Senate members responded that the privacy amendment and modern conditions support more protection for sensitive financial information, especially in limited uncontested divorces, but several members agreed the issue should be studied in a separate bill with a full hearing next year rather than resolved in conference. The committee ultimately voted unanimously to have the Senate recede and pass HB 1260 in the form originally passed by the House, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration. Senator Gray and DHHS officials said federal changes will shift more administrative costs to the state and that underfunding administration could raise the SNAP error rate, which could trigger future federal penalties and larger state costs; DHHS reported a current error rate of 7.57%, below the national average, and said a higher error rate could cost the state roughly $12 million in a partial fiscal year and nearly $16 million in a full year. Representative Papovich said he understood the department’s needs but was reluctant to support the bill as amended, noting the Senate language resembled a prior bill that had already failed in the House. The discussion ended with the committee still considering the Senate amendment, with members weighing the immediate appropriation against possible future costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:03.440> go<00:35:03.680> back<00:35:03.839> to<00:35:04.000> the
• <00:35:15.839> Now,<00:35:16.400> clearly<00:35:16.880> at<00:35:17.119>
• c><00:35:18.240> to<00:35:18.320> get<00:35:18.480> to<00:35:18.640> the<
• point where<00:35:19.119> it's<00:35:19.280> going<00:35:19.359> to<00:35:19.440
• :35:20.800> coming<00:35:20.960> in<00:35:21.119> is<00:35:21.280> going<

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore a few minutes lost at the end of the meeting Representative Tackett-Lafferty: 00:22 • Line of Duty Disability Benefits Representative Grossberg: 26:32 • Loss of TRS Credit Due to Religious Holiday Observance Representative Blanton: 32:01 • Educational Contracts and Membership Dates in KERS Representative Tipton and Representative Blanton: 40:55 • Apply SB 10 Changes from 2025 to KERS/SPRS Senator Higdon: 46:08 • PPOB Reporting on Line of Duty Benefits • TRS Annual Leave Impact on TRS • PPOB Membership • Use of Sick Leave for Religious Holidays Adjournment: 56:03, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty on a bill to extend minimum line-of-duty hazardous duty retirement benefits to certain CERS and KERS non-hazardous members who are injured in the line of duty and cannot return to that work. She used a video and examples from Eastern Kentucky first responders, including a deputy who lost a leg and an emergency management director who lost an eye, to argue that some injured officers and responders fall through the cracks because their employers did not elect hazardous-duty coverage. She said the proposal would provide 25% of pay to the disabled officer, plus 10% for dependent children and minimal health benefits, and noted estimated actuarial costs of about $2.9 million for CERS and $0.542 million for KERS, funded through small employer-rate increases. Members asked how far back the bill would reach, how many people might qualify, and whether the benefit would apply only to active employees or also to past injuries. Laferty said the bill would include a five-year window for recent situations and could potentially cover a total of 3,333 positions statewide that could be certified as hazardous, though benefits would only apply if the person was injured in the line of duty and disabled from returning to that work. Questions also focused on whether a non-hazardous employee could qualify if injured in a hazardous situation; Laferty said yes, if the position could be certified as hazardous, but only for the bill’s minimum benefits. Rep. Josh Calloway and others noted that local governments choose whether to pay the higher hazardous-duty contribution rates, which they said often drives the coverage decision. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gberg present a separate bill revising school leave rules so teachers and school employees may use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not on the school calendar, with a required personal statement and advance notice. He said the change would address a longstanding inconsistency for teachers who observe non-Christian holidays and currently may have to choose between unpaid leave or improperly using sick days, and he said prior concerns about retirement service credit and maternity leave were reduced by other policy changes. The discussion ended without a vote, with members indicating they had the relevant materials and that the bill would be revisited later.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:09.839> In<00:35:10.079> the<00:35:10.160> unfortunate<00:35:10.720><
• <00:35:16.800> These<00:35:17.119> examples<00:35:17.599> are<00:35:17.839><
• could<00:35:44.079> result<00:35:44.400> in<00:35:44.640> reduced<00:35:45.040>
• <00:35:51.119> billion<00:35:51.920> over<00:35:52.160> the<00:35:52.400>
• 10 years.<00:35:54.000> Such<00:35:54.240> a<00:35:54.480> decrease<00:35:54.960

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :09.280> just<00:35:09.440> going<00:35:09.440> to<00:35:09.599> be<00:35
• <00:35:18.320> and<00:35:18.560> looking<00:35:18.720> for<00:35:18.880>
• So, I<00:35:19.440> think<00:35:19.520> that<00:35:19.680> we're<00:35:19.839>
• > going<00:35:19.920> to<00:35:20.000> be<00:35:20.160> seeing<00:35:21.119>
• to<00:35:23.359> see<00:35:23.440> a<00:35:23.599> tsunami<00:35:24.000>

Bills: HF1546, HF2403, HF2389, HF2398

Keywords: fire safety, public safety, statewide fire code, code cleanup, repeal, obsolete statutes, matches, strike-anywhere matches, safety matches, match packaging, match storage, tent safety, flame resistant tents, public assembly tents, flammable materials, fire code modernization, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:08.160> I<00:35:08.400> assume<00:35:08.720> because<00:35:09.280>
• I<00:35:10.640> was<00:35:10.720> in<00:35:10.960> I<00:35:11.200> think<
• <00:35:12.960> saw<00:35:13.280> on<00:35:13.520> my<00:35:13.680> phone<
• > you<00:35:16.880> have<00:35:16.960> to<00:35:17.119> age<00:35:17.440>
• So I just<00:35:22.320> would<00:35:22.480> like<00:35:22.560> to<00:35:22.720><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media practices for minors by requiring verifiable parental consent for accounts and restricting addictive features and targeted advertising for youth users. Chair Scott offered an A2 amendment, with an oral clarification striking specific language and two commas; the committee adopted the amended A2, and the bill was then discussed as amended. The bill author described social media as addictive by design and said the measure would use age-estimation technology to identify users 15 and under, require parental consent, and provide a different, less addictive experience for youth. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, parents Jerry and Giana Cox, and a Minnesota high school student, all arguing that social media harms youth mental health, encourages excessive use, and exposes children to manipulation, cyberbullying, and addictive design features like infinite scroll and autoplay. They said the bill would help parents, protect children, and reduce exploitation of minors’ data. Several committee members also spoke in favor, saying the bill addresses corporate negligence, youth mental health, and the need to act even if the proposal needs more work. Opposition testimony came from industry groups including the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, and NetChoice. They argued the bill is vague and narrow in scope, could create uneven coverage, and may push platforms toward intrusive age-verification or digital-ID-like systems that raise privacy and data-breach concerns. They also said restrictions on personalized or algorithmic features could weaken safety tools and make it harder to protect young users. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the excerpt, but the amended A2 was adopted and the bill remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• of this resolution,<00:35:11.480> and<00:35:11.600> it<00:35:11.680> was<00:35:
• 00:35:19.560> that<00:35:19.760> did<00:35:19.960> not<00:35:20.320> and<
• and are very barren.<00:35:26.520> I<00:35:26.680> also<00:35:27.360> was<00:35
• <00:35:37.840> Recently,<00:35:38.320> I<00:35:38.400> went<00:35:38.720>
• <00:35:48.080> snails,<00:35:48.840> no<00:35:49.120> whales,"<00:35:50.080>

Bills: HCR13, HCR61, HCR136, HCR185, HCR155, HCR68, HCR174, HCR178, HCR179, HCR91, HCR103, HCR115, HCR199, HR15, HR128, HR175, HR147, HR62, HR164, HR168, HR169, HR83, HR95, HR107, HR189

Keywords: coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

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• And I believe that many<00:35:06.359> of<00:35:06.520> us<00:35:06.760> in<00:35
• A<00:35:21.120> time<00:35:21.680> where we<00:35:24.800> have<00:35:25.200>
• <00:35:31.040> It's<00:35:31.240> called<00:35:31.520> that<00:35:31.680>
• it,<00:35:37.240> you<00:35:37.359> have<00:35:37.680> to<00:35:37.800>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, approval of the prior day’s journal, adoption of committee reports, and the first readings of several House and Senate files. The chamber also received Senate File 476, which was referred to Ways and Means, and Senate File 4807, which was sent for comparison with a House file. The Speaker announced members to escort the Governor to the joint convention on April 28. The main floor action was House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to survivor testimony and explained that it would prohibit staff from being alone with students in certain circumstances, create felony penalties for grooming, make grooming grounds for educator license discipline, add grooming to mandatory reporting and training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further in investigations. Bennett and several members also noted the bill’s fiscal note, including added investigative staffing and prison costs. During debate, multiple members from both parties voiced support, emphasizing student safety, mandatory reporter training, clearer field trip rules, and better communication with licensing boards. Several members thanked survivor Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and some members stressed that grooming is a deliberate process and that the bill is intended to protect children without vilifying educators. Representative Jordan also highlighted prevention through education about consent and grooming. No amendments were offered, and the bill was given its third reading; members repeatedly urged a green vote, though the transcript provided does not include the final roll-call result.

Transcript Highlights:

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• <00:35:15.720> let's<00:35:15.920> move<00:35:16.119> on<00:35:16.280> to
• <00:35:17.160> report<00:35:17.920> Madam<00:35:18.119> speaker<00:35:18.400>
• 35:26.839> madam<00:35:27.079> speaker<00:35:27.320> I'd<00:35:27.400> like
• :35:31.480> and<00:35:31.839> um<00:35:32.520> I<00:35:32.599> just<00:35

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

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• the state,<00:35:11.160> so<00:35:11.240> we<00:35:11.359> think<00:35:11.600><
• c> there<00:35:11.800> can<00:35:11.920> be<00:35:12.000> a<00:35:12.040>
• Briefly,<00:35:15.280> I<00:35:15.400> also<00:35:15.600> want<00:35:15.760>
• Finally,<00:35:27.920> I<00:35:27.960> would<00:35:28.080> like<00:35:28.200>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns. Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance. Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.

Transcript Highlights:

• people from<00:35:01.800> getting<00:35:02.079> addicted<00:35:02.440> to<00:35
• <00:35:09.800> to<00:35:09.920> nip<00:35:10.160> in<00:35:10.280> the
• <00:35:10.920> they<00:35:11.079> go<00:35:11.320> very<00:35:11.560> far
• <00:35:12.920> into<00:35:13.280> offices<00:35:13.720> of<00:35:13.880>
• they have set<00:35:23.760> themselves<00:35:24.079> up<00:35:24.280> as<00:35:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:36.480> In<00:35:36.720> law<00:35:36.880> enforcement,<00:35:37.440>
• <00:35:44.640> to<00:35:44.800> I'm<00:35:45.040> going<00:35:45.119> to<
• I<00:35:46.880> I<00:35:47.200> would<00:35:47.359> provide<00:35:47.680
• :35:50.320> the<00:35:50.560> work<00:35:50.720> we're<00:35:51.040> doing
• :35:14.880> you<01:35:15.040> know<01:35:15.120> if<01:35:15.280> we<01:35

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 Office of the Attorney General Update: 00:04:52 Department of Kentucky State Police Update: 00:44:57, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:35:09.640> employers<00:35:10.119> are<00:35:10.320> paying<00:35:10.640>
• in per employee<00:35:11.800> is<00:35:12.400> $85<00:35:13.400> and<00:35:14.040
• > at<00:35:14.160> the<00:35:14.280> end<00:35:14.480> of<00:35:14.839>
• > contributing<00:35:20.040> more<00:35:20.720> do<00:35:20.880> you<00:35
• <00:35:22.320> figure<00:35:22.560> out<00:35:22.960> what<00:35:23.800> um

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > introduce<00:35:21.240> your<00:35:21.400> name<00:35:21.560> for<00:35
• bill<00:35:31.000> for<00:35:31.119> a<00:35:31.280> great<00:35:31.520>
• <00:35:40.160> of<00:35:40.280> Minnesota<00:35:41.079> and<00:35:41.480>
• /c><00:35:51.319> even<00:35:51.720> Olympic<00:35:52.160> gold<00:35:52.800>
• :53.920> we<00:35:54.119> adapt<00:35:54.359> to<00:35:54.480> the<00:35:

Keywords: 1183, house