Transcript Highlights:

• including child-friendly intake rooms where parents can explain their situation in private with a case
• It is true that the PUC can handle this in individual rate cases. We have...
• At a higher actual equity layer when we went into our last rate case and did not get that approved by
• So, as I mentioned in our last rate case, we were operating at a 45% equity layer, and the Commission
• That's been the result of the commission determinations in those cases.

Bills: HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• they're required to have had a continuous physical presence in the county for one year before the case
• Since that 2013 report, there has been no updated statewide data on how many truancy cases result in
• Despite being clean and complying with our case plans, supervised visits... ...the consequences.
• Almost half of all cases from mandated reporters fall under the category of general neglect.
• Out of these cases, nearly 80% are not substantiated by CPS.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a case in federal court right now.
• So when, since we can't go judge the algorithms ourselves, when do you think this court case is going
• I just wanted to know if you're going to provide us a copy of the court case as well.
• In a best case scenario, it's sent to them through some kind of secure delivery mechanism.
• And can you explain how the outcome of this case will impact this bill or vice versa? It wouldn't.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General's Office represents the state in litigation, including cases involving CYFD.
• Is it clear enough in the bill that that's the case?
• Each and every one of those cases is open litigation; it's an open lawsuit. So it is the state.
• Serious case right now in front of us.
• Madam Chair, case law. Madam Chair and Representative, okay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Having retailers put them behind lock cases and stuff does cost a lot of money.
• Having retailers put them behind lock cases and stuff does cost a lot of money.
• You know, having retailers put them behind lock cases and stuff does cost a lot of money.
• You know, having retailers put them behind lock cases and stuff does cost a lot of money.
• You know, if they were in case or store behind the counter proper, they can make an informed decision

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making on SB 146, SB 147, and SB 1166. SB 146 and SB 147, both relating to condominiums, were recommended to pass with amendments. The committee adopted amendments based on testimony from Anne Anderson, including mediator/arbitrator qualifications, clarifications about disputes involving managing agents, small claims timing, lien rights, and refund determinations by an early neutral evaluator. For both bills, the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050 for further discussion. Each measure was adopted with no objections. SB 1166, relating to insurance, was also passed with amendments. The committee removed language that would have required insurers to bring claims and condition rates on doing so, replacing it with encouraging language. The amended bill adds a private cause of action against responsible parties, authorizes insurer actions under certain conditions, defines terms tied to climate-related events and fossil fuel products, and requires HPIA to report to the insurance commissioner on whether it exercised direct action rights. The effective date was likewise deferred to July 1, 2050, and the measure was adopted without objection. The committee then heard SB 985, relating to consumer protection and gift card fraud, and SB 1525, relating to electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. SB 985 drew support from a consumer fraud victim and others who said gift card scams disproportionately harm kupuna, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill’s packaging/display requirements and suggested stronger penalties instead. The committee voted to pass SB 985 with amendments, deferring its effective date to July 1, 2050, and noted it would move on to Judiciary next. SB 1525 drew significant opposition from the Attorney General’s office, Department of Taxation, Department of Health, and public health groups, who argued it conflicted with federal tobacco law, was hard for Tax to administer, and would not effectively remove unauthorized vape products. After testimony, the committee recommended deferral of SB 1525 without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that to be the case.
• Is that still the case? I will implement President Trump's policies.
• I would point out that in many cases it's Congress.
• The state of Maine has seen a steady and disturbing increase in Lyme disease cases.
• In 2023, Maine had a record number of Lyme disease cases, nearly 3,000 reported cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, who they are.
• And in this case, there's no guarantee. And in this case, there's no guarantee.
• In the case of Francestown, ConVal has no debt.
• In the case of Francestown, buildings.
• It is case law.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fay case, saying it is quite clear.
• important perhaps in restitution cases important perhaps in restitution cases um<01:09:23.319>
• 32.080> or cases environmental assessment cases or cases environmental assessment cases or environmental
• impact statement cases environmental impact statement cases involving<01:48:35.360> renewable<
• <01:49:42.119> before orders um from contested cases before orders um from contested cases

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was found as a result of the production of discovery in those cases against the San Diego County Fair
• I was counsel for Talley Amusement in two of these cases.
• Depositions in that case, which... Applied to these carnival fair contracts.
• In that particular case, the Superior Court ruled the Public Contract Code did not apply to their award
• This bill is intended to address a capital law something that emerged only after a blockbuster case to

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met to hear one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, which would require district agricultural associations and fairs to follow competitive bidding standards under the Public Contract Code and prohibit sole-source contracting. Senator Padilla and his witness argued the bill was needed to close a loophole exposed by litigation and investigations involving fair contracts, citing alleged bid tailoring and favoritism in San Diego and Orange County fair contracting. They said the measure would promote transparency, accountability, and fair competition, while noting that existing exemptions and guidance should allow smaller fairs to continue routine procurement without difficulty. Committee members asked how the bill would affect small and rural fairs and what steps managers would need to take to comply. The author and witness responded that the bill was aimed at large contracts where abuse had occurred, and that fair managers generally already know how to write RFPs so more than one bidder can qualify. The vice chair indicated support after receiving clarification, and the chair and other members spoke in favor of the bill as a safeguard against corruption. No opposition was presented in committee or public comment. The committee then voted to send SB 1223 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed the measure passing with eight aye votes. Before adjournment, the chair also recognized the committee’s chief consultant, Victor, and secretary, Nicole, for their long service and upcoming retirements, thanking them for their work with the Agriculture Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that may not always be the case.
• But that may not always be the case.
• In 2002, the US Supreme Court took up a case, Zelman v. Simmons Harris.
• Yes, they tend to exaggerate or present the worst-case scenarios.
• That is not the case.

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• build a criminal case. build a criminal case.
• We can use that in a criminal case.
• build stronger criminal cases as well. build stronger criminal cases as well.
• cases the what we've seen. cases the what we've seen. >> Follow<02:18:43.920> up.
• other evidence for that case. other evidence for that case. >> Followup.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:57.440> of and more spaces and in the case of and more spaces and in the case of having
• I'm going to highlight two cases, but there are two equally important cases in my testimony, in which
• but there are two equally cases but there are two equally important<01:47:49.800> cases<01:47
• In that case, this bill doesn't go far enough.
• In that case, this bill doesn't go far enough.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none. but in this case alaw that we've seen I but in this case alaw that we've seen I I<00:14
• <00:28:00.000> requiring Landmark umberger case requiring Landmark umberger case requiring
• Right, the commercial marine licenses—sorry, okay—so the Kapili case? Yeah, okay.
• Right, the commercial marine licenses—sorry, okay—so the Kapili case? Yeah, okay.
• licenses sorry okay so the kapali case licenses sorry okay so the kapali case yeah<00:30:55.039>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, I would entertain a motion to approve the financial report. Approve.
• So, in that case, I'll entertain one of those four options.
• In that case, roll call, please.
• In that case, you'll entertain a motion to approve the form. I'll make a second.
• Well, in that case, that moves us to item 14.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These individuals are already in our workforce and our communities; in many cases, they are close to
• They want to be an AAU school, so in that case, they would need to go out and attract faculty here.
• So, it really is on a case-by-case basis.
• So, in the case we talked about, in the case of OU and OU, they have ideas.
• So, they hope I think in that case, they're just going to try to use the money more efficiently.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over 83,000 cases of
• elder abuse in Texas, up from 60,000 cases reported in 2022.
• Being able to identify the signs of abuse in cases involving domestic violence, probate, guardianship
• So many cases go unreported.
• I've had cases where the person attempted to pay it, but the landlord refused to accept it.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...and then consumers, who are represented before the commission, have to wait until the full rate case
• to make their case that those costs weren't justified.
• A lot of rate cases, we tend to get involved in electric cases, not gas cases, but we have gotten involved
• assuage a bit of that concern, but still making sure that the growth in Texas... in a 24-month rate case
• And so, again, there's that annual process, and then every six or so years, I have a general rate case

Bills: HB1237, HB2663, HB3071, HB4384

Keywords: occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over 83,000 cases of
• elder abuse in Texas, up from 60,000 cases reported in 2022.
• Being able to identify the signs of abuse in cases involving domestic violence, probate, guardianship
• So many cases go unreported.
• I've had cases where the person attempted to pay it, but the landlord refused to accept it.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Transcript Highlights:

• is a number that was set years ago requiring them to spend a certain minimum amount on family law cases
• This is related to their report on their personnel and their volunteers, the number of cases that they
• <00:02:22.000> It's minimum amount on family law cases.
• It's minimum amount on family law cases.
• that they uh use the number of cases that they uh use that<00:02:48.319> they<00:02:48.560>

Bills: HF2300

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Organizations may have, and that's been the case for the last several months.
• The next big case is... this is a good example of how these stories are going to rotate through time.
• The image on the left is going to be a mural at the back of that case showing this training operation
• In that case on the left, our first story...
• In that case on the left, our first story is going to be about George Washington Paul, who served in

Keywords: 1136, house, all