Transcript Highlights:

• money that we allocated not being spent, that is just being sat on, it really frustrates me as a Democrat
• frustrates<00:30:34.480><c> me</c><00:30:34.720><c> as</c><00:30:34.960><c> a</c><00:30:35.000><c> Democrat
• </c><00:30:35.520><c> who</c><00:30:35.640><c> believes</c> frustrates me as a Democrat who believes
• frustrates me as a Democrat who believes in<00:30:36.000><c> government.

Bills: HF4810 , HF4597 , HF1082 , HF3230

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety, radio communications, infrastructure funding, county funding, interoperability, ARMER network, local jurisdictions, HF4597, Minnesota public safety, 911, emergency dispatch, emergency communications, public safety appropriation, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, PSAP, dispatch interoperability, real-time coordination, emergency response coordination, cross-jurisdictional response, 911 center awareness platform

Transcript Highlights:

• Beverly Talbot from San Francisco, on behalf of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, Lesbian
• I'm on the board of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, which strongly opposes.
• seeing is no longer isolated; it is becoming normalized, and if we're serious about upholding our democratic
• And this isn't good for democratic dialogue or for civic engagement.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans, Democrats, agencies, putting the $8.2 million into that MAXIS, and it's still broken.
• Uh Republicans,<00:42:52.760><c> Democrats,</c> Republicans, Democrats, Republicans, Democrats, agencies

Bills: HF4525 , HF3002 , HF3665 , HF4420

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, background studies, NETStudy 2.0, licensing, license suspension, license revocation, provider enrollment, program integrity, fraud, medical assistance fraud, Medicaid, payment withholding, credible allegation of fraud, background check, disqualification, variance, set-aside, foster care, family foster setting, adult foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I would like to close, or on behalf of the Democrats, I'd like to close and say this has been a very
• like to close or or or on on<01:23:31.480><c> behalf</c><01:23:31.760><c> of</c><01:23:31.840><c> Democrat
• I'd</c><01:23:32.320><c> like</c><01:23:32.480><c> to</c><01:23:32.560><c> close</c> on behalf of Democrat
• I'd like to close on behalf of Democrat I'd like to close and<01:23:32.920><c> say</c> and say and say

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state in one particular bill, I don't know that that's I guess it is collectivism and the Democrats
• 44.960><c> and</c> I guess it is collectivism and I guess it is collectivism and the<00:14:46.280><c> Democrats
• 46.800><c> here</c><00:14:46.960><c> do</c><00:14:47.160><c> believe</c><00:14:47.440><c> in</c> the Democrats
• here do believe in the Democrats here do believe in collectivism<00:14:48.240><c> and</c><00:14:48.360

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you mentioned early on that, you know, it's not a Democrat or Republican issue.
• And I tell our federal counterparts, including my Republican AGs, my Democratic AGs, let's continue to
• larger, outside of our Massachusetts delegation, State House folks, I'm working with Republican and Democratic
• That was a cohort of elected officials, Republican and Democrats, fighting to protect those residents

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Commonwealth and how you fight for us, and you mentioned early on that, you know, it's not a Democrat
• And I tell our federal counterparts, including my Republican AGs, my Democratic AGs, let's continue to
• larger outside of our Massachusetts delegation, State House folks, I'm working with Republican and Democratic
• That was a cohort of elected officials, Republican and Democrats, fighting to protect those residents

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Duran dedicated his life to opportunity, service, and democratic ideas.
• So infringe on the Second Amendment, at least many of us in this room, including a couple of Democrats
• I believe it's a Democratic strategy.
• I think it's a Democratic strategy to slowly erode the rights of New Mexicans.

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered an invocation, and handled several announcements and courtesy motions, including excusing some members and relaxing the dress code. The chamber then adopted committee reports on several bills, including Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 30, and Senate Bill 43. It then moved to third reading of Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act.” SB 17 was read at length and explained by Senator O’Malley and co-sponsor Senator Bergman as a gun crime prevention measure aimed at dealer security, employee training, recordkeeping, reporting requirements, inspections, and a ban on future dealer sales or transfers of certain firearms and accessories, including high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber rifles and cartridges, gas-operated semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines, and machine guns. Supporters argued the bill targets the retail-to-criminal pipeline, improves accountability, and would help reduce gun trafficking and violence. Opponents argued it infringes on constitutional rights, would not stop criminals from obtaining guns, and would burden law-abiding citizens and dealers. The chamber then debated Floor Amendment No. 1 by Senator Brantley, which would have struck Section 7, the portion banning certain weapons and devices. Supporters of the amendment said Section 7 was the most constitutionally vulnerable part of the bill and would likely be litigated, while opponents said the section was central to the bill’s purpose and consistent with Second Amendment case law. The amendment failed on a roll call vote, 15-22. A second amendment by Senator Block, which would have exempted certain under-21 employees from the bill’s age restriction if they were military members, veterans, or had completed hunter safety or 4-H programs, was then taken up and debated, with supporters emphasizing military training and youth firearms education as evidence of responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill was first passed to allow police officers, the Republicans were pushing police officers, the Democrats
• The Democrats were pushing counselors, and they've compromised.
• I am for this bill as a Democrat because I really do believe that we do need prayer.
• But we're constantly hearing accusations that Democrats are indoctrinating children, yet this bill does

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Sir, I led the training for more than a decade, twice a year, for all the House Democrats, and I believe
• 30.640><c> House</c> decade twice a year for all the House decade twice a year for all the House Democrats
• <c> I</c><00:31:32.799><c> believe</c><00:31:32.960><c> the</c><00:31:33.200><c> Republicans</c> Democrats
• and I believe the Republicans Democrats and I believe the Republicans did<00:31:34.000><c> the</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The commission heard argument on a renewed motion to compel discovery and related sanctions in an ethics case. Enforcement counsel said the respondent had provided incomplete and inconsistent discovery responses, including no authenticated medical records, and asked the commission to compel full interrogatory answers, bar the respondent from relying on unsupported medical claims at hearing, allow subpoenas for medical records and an LRC report, and continue the December 2 hearing. Respondent’s counsel replied that the defense had complied with discovery, that medical records were being withheld for reasons previously discussed, and that no outstanding discovery remained. The next matter was enforcement counsel’s motion in limine, which sought to exclude a wide range of evidence as irrelevant to the three ethics charges already found to have probable cause. Counsel argued the hearing should focus only on whether the respondent intimidated Fox’s, offered a favor in exchange for a donation, and engaged in inappropriate conduct while intoxicated in his office, and not on complainants’ motives, media coverage, bullying, religious discrimination claims, LRC policies, or other legislators’ conduct. He also argued that any claim of mental or physical condition should be excluded absent supporting medical proof. Respondent’s counsel opposed the motion, saying the excluded topics went to witness credibility, bias, motive, and context, and that LRC materials and testimony from additional witnesses were important to the defense. Commission members questioned both sides about the breadth of the motion in limine and whether any topics could be agreed to as irrelevant. Counsel for the respondent maintained that some challenged topics, including Lexington media coverage and broader legislative practices, were relevant to credibility and context. Enforcement counsel responded that even if such conduct were common, it would not excuse a violation of the ethics code. No final ruling or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, we've accused the Democrats of rose-colored glasses when it comes to wind and solar.
• Um, you know, we've accused<01:02:09.040><c> the</c><01:02:09.200><c> Democrats</c><01:02:09.680><c>
• of</c><01:02:09.920><c> rosecolored</c> accused the Democrats of rosecolored accused the Democrats of

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, Republicans and Democrats all agreed that certain places were off limits: schools, churches
• Democratic members will be in the members' lounge, and Republican members will be in the Willie Brown
• Could the author or a member of the LGBT Democrat Caucus explain what concerns? Thank you, Mr.
• And it doesn't matter if we're Democratic parents or Republican parents; we want to keep our kids safe

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, Republicans and Democrats all agreed. that certain places were off-limits.
• Democratic members in the members lounge and Republican members will be in the Willie Brown conference
• Could the author or member of the LGBT Democrat caucus explain what concern there may be?
• especially those of us that are on the we're first and foremost parents and it doesn't matter if we're Democratic

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're a little light on Democrats. Okay. Got two here. I... He absolutely can. Okay.
• We're<00:06:06.400><c> light</c><00:06:06.560><c> on</c><00:06:06.800><c> Democrats.</c> Okay.
• then next Monday in the county delegation we vote to become self-insured and I looked at all the Democrats
• And I looked at all the Democrats who were in my committee and I said, "Do you guys, you just realize

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance-related bills. Senate Bill 47, concerning health insurance policies related to the birth of the mother, was moved ought to pass with no amendments and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 121, dealing with Medicare Advantage plan notice requirements, was amended to reduce the required notice from 120 days to 90 days and to remove a federal citation; the department said the change was to avoid conflict with federal notice rules. After discussion about the stress caused when carriers leave the Medicare Advantage market, the committee voted ought to pass as amended, 7-0. The committee then heard a detailed explanation of the continuing care retirement communities bill, described by the Insurance Department as a rewrite of a 1989 law to modernize oversight, require quarterly financial reporting as an early warning system, create a bill of rights for residents, and clarify issues such as entrance fees and removal of dangerous residents. A member recalled the bill’s original purpose as protecting solvency because residents pay substantial upfront fees. The bill was moved ought to pass and approved unanimously, 7-0. The final major discussion concerned a pooled risk organizations bill. Members debated whether oversight should remain with the Secretary of State or be moved to the Insurance Department. Supporters of moving it argued the issue is solvency, citing concerns about reserve levels, prior insolvencies, and the Insurance Department’s expertise. Opponents said the Secretary of State’s office had historically overseen the entities and that the bill would fundamentally change how they operate. A straw vote favored an amendment, but the committee ultimately voted to retain the bill for further work, with plans to revisit it later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that this has been done under both Democratic and Republican control. leave.
• uh it's that's been been done whether uh it's been<00:49:12.800><c> under</c><00:49:13.040><c> Democratic
• </c><00:49:13.599><c> control</c><00:49:13.920><c> or</c> been under Democratic control or been under
• Democratic control or Republican<00:49:14.880><c> control.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was the leader of the Senate Democrats for over a decade and was Senate President from 2006 to 2010
• c><00:32:27.840><c> the</c><00:32:28.000><c> Senate</c><00:32:28.320><c> de</c><00:32:28.720><c> Democrats
• </c> the leader of the Senate de Democrats the leader of the Senate de Democrats for<00:32:29.519><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove supervision of the legislative facilities committee nurse from the Department of Health and Human Services and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice and the Nurse Practice Act. Ryan Maliti introduced the bill for Senator Pearl, and John Williams of DHHS explained that the current statutory language is outdated, dating back to 1995, and improperly gives medical supervisory authority to a non-clinician. He said the change would align the statute with current practice and that the department, the Joint Legislative Committee’s chief operating officer, and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification were all comfortable with the language. Committee members asked about the need for the change and confirmed the old supervisory language was no longer being meaningfully used. The chair closed the hearing on SB 197, noting there may be additional amendments before final action. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, which would authorize the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. Max Taylor, speaking for Senator Rashardi, described Bradley’s long public service and urged the committee to move the bill. Members asked whether the portrait was completed, where it would be displayed, and how size and placement would be determined. Taylor said the portrait had not yet been commissioned but would be paid for by Bradley, and that the exact location had not been set. Committee members and staff noted that the Joint Historical Committee is already working on portrait placement and space issues, and that the bill may need to be coordinated with broader updates to the statutes governing portraits and memorials. The committee also heard Senate Bill 200, introduced by Senator Reardon, to allow the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and hang a portrait of former Senator Sylvia Larson. Reardon and Donna Susi, who painted the portrait and had served as Larson’s chief of staff, gave strong testimony about Larson’s legislative record, leadership as Senate President, and bipartisan service. Members asked about the portrait’s status, size, and where it would be displayed; witnesses said the portrait was completed, framed, and currently stored in a box pending approval, and that the committee would decide placement. In the later work session, the chair used the two portrait bills to discuss broader problems in the statutes and the Joint Historical Committee’s responsibilities, including possible size limits, placement rules, and whether New Hampshire should adopt practices used in other states such as waiting periods or moratoriums on portraits. No votes were taken during the work session, but members discussed using the bills as vehicles for larger statutory cleanup.

Transcript Highlights:

• few, as well as our responsibility: we support and defend the Constitution, participate in the democratic
• defend the Constitution<01:24:06.320><c> participate</c><01:24:07.040><c> in</c><01:24:07.360><c> Democratic
• </c> Constitution participate in Democratic Constitution participate in Democratic Pro<01:24:08.679><

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the only Democrat on the committee. Oh yeah, I was told that.
• When I started off my career, 30 years ago, I started off as a Republican. ...a Democrat, and after practicing
• rap, there are lots of judges all over the state that are elected by voters, both Republicans and Democrats
• I will tell you that in huge swaths of cases that were tried in front of... in front of me, a Democrat

Bills: SB 30 , SB 517 , SB 1313 , SB 1314 , SB 1316 , SB 1541 , SB 1698 , SB 1845 , SB 1860 , SB 2420 , SB 2429

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• there's no further business, one final thing, Representative Cluty, I want—yeah, could I see the Democrats
• 01:23:22.719><c> your</c><01:23:23.679><c> So</c> tell<01:23:27.120><c> the</c><01:23:27.280><c> Democrats
• 27.920><c> to</c><01:23:28.000><c> go</c><01:23:28.159><c> in</c><01:23:28.239><c> the</c> tell the Democrats
• you want to go in the tell the Democrats you want to go in the office.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party. In support. Coalition Earth. In support.
• Environmental<00:57:23.000><c> Caucus</c><00:57:23.400><c> of</c><00:57:23.520><c> the</c><00:57:23.640><c> Democratic
• </c> Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party.

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.