Transcript Highlights:

• The good senator from the Eastern Plains asked to be fined in order to be able to recognize those who
• to Pines Scenic establish the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor<00:44:05.760> and<00:44:05.960>
• <00:44:19.720> to<00:44:19.800> Pines vegetation for the Plains to Pines vegetation
• for the Plains to Pines Scenic<00:44:20.520> Corridor.
• asked to be fined Eastern Plains asked to be fined >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, suspended Rule 1B to allow a non-senator to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a special guest introduction before approving the March 2, 2026 journal. The chamber then received committee reports and messages from the House and revisor, including action on several bills and appointments, and briefly moved out of order for personal privileges recognizing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the challenges facing that community amid budget pressures. The Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 1018, designating State Highway 86 through Elbert County as the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor, after lengthy remarks describing the route, local communities, and scenic and historic features. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed the consent-calendar bills on third reading: SB 59, SB 50, SB 51, SB 110, SB 61, and SB 26, with several senators recording no votes on SB 59, SB 50, and SB 51. SB 21, concerning the clean fleet enterprise and replacement of high-emitting trucks and fleets, also passed 33-2. The Senate confirmed governor’s appointments to the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors on the consent calendar, including Lisa Augustin, Carolyn Glover, Megan Letham, George Keriannac, and Lisa Boyer, all by a 35-0 vote. It also laid over general orders, second reading of bills, until March 4, 2026. The meeting ended with announcements about committee meetings, Read Across America Week, and a Colorado Optometrist Association reception, followed by a motion to recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the analysis also says that most soap that I use isn't plain soap. I didn't know that.
• Plain soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap.
• Right, but I'm not using plain soap, according to the analysis.
• Plain soap and water is fully compliant with the FDA's food code. It's less expensive.
• And also, plain soap is less expensive than antibacterial soap.

Summary: The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee met to adopt its rules, establish quorum, and approve a consent calendar of five bills, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard three measures: AB 638 by Assembly Member Rodriguez on stormwater capture for irrigation of urban public lands; AB 60 by Assembly Member Papin on banning synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products; and AB 916 by Assembly Member Lee on restricting certain antibacterial soap ingredients in consumer hand soaps and body washes. AB 638 was presented as a climate and water-supply measure directing the State Water Resources Control Board to develop guidelines for capturing and safely reusing stormwater for irrigation. Supporters, including NRDC and several environmental groups, argued it would reduce potable water use and help move stalled projects forward. The bill drew no opposition and received strong support from committee members, including requests to coauthor. It passed the committee on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 60 would ban synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products due to health and environmental concerns. Supporters cited endocrine disruption, reproductive harms, persistence in waterways, and international restrictions. The bill passed on a due pass motion to the floor, with one member not voting. AB 916 generated the most debate: supporters said the three targeted antimicrobials offer no added benefit over plain soap, may contribute to health harms and antibiotic resistance, and should be banned in consumer products while exempting health care settings. Opponents argued the ingredients are already under FDA and DTSC review, raised preemption concerns, and warned of costs and impacts on food handling and other uses. After extensive discussion, the committee approved AB 916 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health, with several no votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• IS THE SPECIFIC AND STATUTORY LANGUAGE AROUND THESE VERY SPECIFIC RULES?
• DIFFERENT PARCELS MANSION GROUNDS OF THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION INCLUDING THE DEFINITION OF FOLLOWING LANGUAGE
• CLAUSE IN SECTION 550 09 5161 THAT THE COMMISSION AND ITS PREDECESSOR BELIEVED TO BE BASED ON THE PLAIN
• LANGUAGE OF THE STATUTE WHEN READ IN MATERIAL WITH OTHER RELEVANT STATUTORY MATERIAL.
• HEARINGS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL HELD THAT THE COMMISSION'S READING WENT BEYOND THE PLAIN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just means that the language is going It just means that the language is going to remain vague in
• So, you'll give them some changes, but then they'll probably want some clearer language.
• On Tuesday, Some tighter language, but they were still not happy.
• Otherwise, there was just clarifying language that was added.
• He made the language right. Hey there, goggish, you kaleidoscope of...

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His family, the South Plains and Panhandle, water. There’s a saying that water doesn’t run uphill.
• In detail, when I got invited, a city slicker from H-Town got invited to the High Plains of Lubbock to
• So my friend from the High Plains convinced this city slicker that water is more than just turning on
• thing is that you put a lot of reforms, judicial reforms, in that bill, and a lot of the enabling language
• It was accidentally put back into the conference committee. ...report language by the drafter. Mr.

Bills: SB27, SB30, SB293, HB4, HB2974, HB5138, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59

Keywords: judicial conduct, judges discipline, judicial compensation, retirement benefits, judicial transparency, SJR 50, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, securities tax, transaction tax, occupation tax, financial markets, broker-dealer, stock exchange, securities exchange, trading platform, clearing agency, transfer agent, FINRA

Transcript Highlights:

• So because the provisions would conflict, we would recommend deleting that language. That's great.
• And, like I said, this language was worked out with the AG last year.
• The language was worked out with the AG last year.
• concerns that we have with the language concerns that we have with the language that's<00:57:36.480
• <02:25:34.080> uh language uh language uh um<02:25:37.040> uh<02:25:37.439> that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 1324, which would require the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and allow attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide those services, with an appropriation. The Department of the Attorney General recommended removing reference to Hawaii Public Housing Authority tenants because HPHA eviction proceedings are administrative and could conflict with the bill. Hawaii Appleseed and other testifiers strongly supported the measure, citing studies showing much higher tenant retention when counsel is available, and suggested adding notice of the right to counsel at key points such as rent increases, eviction notices, and lease signing. The committee adopted amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested change and a technical amendment, and passed the bill out with a recommendation to move it forward; members voted aye, with one member voting with reservations and several excused. The committee then heard House Bill 126 on property forfeiture, which would increase transparency and accountability in civil asset forfeiture by clarifying covered property, changing disposition rules, and removing language requiring liberal construction of the forfeiture act. The Attorney General said forfeiture remains an important law enforcement tool and that the bill would not impair its use. The Office of the Public Defender supported the measure but argued civil forfeiture is broadly problematic because many people cannot meaningfully challenge it and are not entitled to counsel. Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, saying forfeiture is useful in fighting illegal activity and that added procedures would delay enforcement and reduce operational funding from forfeiture proceeds. Community Alliance on Prisons, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters urged reform or abolition of civil forfeiture, citing transparency concerns and the risk of abuse. No vote on HB 126 was taken in the portion provided. The final measure discussed was House Bill 166, which would require the state to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees in certain civil actions, allow employees to hire their own counsel at their own expense, and set a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the state declines to defend. Testimony from the Hawaii Association for Justice and labor representatives was in strong support, describing the bill as a negotiated clarification that balances employee protections with accountability and noting it had passed previously but died in conference. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on HB 166.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um $500,000 to the Great Plains Um $500,000 to the Great Plains Institute.
• So, we changed the language as it appears in the omnibus back to the original language.
• So, we changed the language as it appears in the omnibus back to the original language.
• So, we changed the language as it appears in the omnibus back to the original language.
• language that are currently in the bill. language that are currently in the bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• may be unintentionally weakened language may be unintentionally weakened protections<02:42:03.040>
• Um, while I do appreciate the general inclusive language in this amendment, I do ask... ...language in
• Basalt for almost 15 years and then over on the eastern plains.
• And if you go on the eastern plains...
• Denver-Boulder metro area, but from the eastern plains, the western slope, all over.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All the language in the amendments themselves is judiciary language or issues.
• All the language in the amendments themselves is judiciary language or issues.
• Well, this language is before us because this is our jurisdictional language.
• <01:26:40.960> language<01:26:41.520> of in that case that the plain language of in
• that case that the plain language of the<01:26:42.000> existing<01:26:42.480> statute<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other problem than what you're trying to fix if you have that language. Am I reading that right?
• SB 26 has additional problematic language.
• Given both the political motivation and its imprecise language, Refree Alabama respectfully urges the
• > with<00:37:07.839> the problematic language, even with the problematic language, even
• <00:37:58.560> And "This bill is just plain wrong." And "This bill is just plain wrong."

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• today for the life of Jimmy Carter, who was satisfied to lead from his values, to make those values plain
• If they come across gendered language currently in law, they will automatically fix that language.
• If they come across gendered language currently in law, they will automatically fix that language.
• fix that language.
• fix that language.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think some of the latest language...” “Timer, which is digital.
• A 2023 Texas Supreme Court case, however, ruled that despite the plain language of the Insurance Code
• A 2023 Texas Supreme Court case, however, ruled that despite the plain language of the Insurance Code
• A 2023 Texas Supreme Court case, however, ruled that despite the plain language of the Insurance Code
• A 2023 Texas Supreme Court case, however, ruled that despite the plain language of the Insurance Code

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• But any time I left Karina's home, my dear friend, who did not have to speak the same language as I,
• Under the plain language in the text of HB 2136, persons can be charged with a classified felony if the
• Agents are masked, wearing plain clothes, with no visible identification.
• Agents are masked, wearing plain clothes, with no visible identification.
• Are you open to potential amendments that would be clarifying language for them?

Bills: HB2047, HB2136, HB2198, HB2411, HB2662, HB2966, HB2970

Keywords: forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, criminal records, sealing records, civil rights, expungement, rehabilitation, coerced abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, felony

Summary: The committee heard several bills dealing with criminal penalties, probation, record sealing, fraud jurisdiction, reproductive coercion, and family court evidence. HB 2047 would elevate trespass after service of a writ of restitution from third-degree to first-degree criminal trespass; supporters, including the Arizona Constables Association, said the current misdemeanor classification leads law enforcement to deprioritize unsafe eviction-related situations. The bill passed with a do pass recommendation on a 6-2 vote. HB 2136 would create offenses for civil terrorism and subversion, expand racketeering predicates, and increase penalties for certain coordinated disorderly conduct and highway obstruction; supporters said it targets organized intimidation and violent disruption, while opponents from the ACLU and immigrant-rights groups argued it is vague, viewpoint-discriminatory, and would chill protest. After extensive debate over January 6th, ICE protests, and Arizona protest examples, it also received a do pass recommendation, 6-3. HB 2970 would clarify that Arizona can prosecute fraudulent schemes and artifice even if every act occurred outside a single county or subdivision, so long as there is an Arizona nexus. The sponsor said local law enforcement and the FBI often decline smaller mortgage-fraud cases because the bank is out of state; opponents said existing law already provides jurisdiction and warned of forum shopping. The bill passed 6-3. HB 2411 would make secretly administering abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent a class 2 felony; supporters framed it as a protection against coercion and abuse, while opponents said existing assault laws already cover the conduct and warned about unintended effects on access to miscarriage care. It also passed 6-3. HB 2198 would allow people convicted of petty offenses to petition to seal their records immediately after completing their sentence. Supporters described it as a cleanup measure to extend sealing relief to minor offenses like truancy or low-level misdemeanors, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 2966 would prohibit early termination of probation for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; the sponsor argued that child victims should not have to repeatedly return to court, while opponents raised ex post facto concerns, juvenile-offender issues, and resource burdens. After testimony from victims, defense advocates, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, it passed 5-4. Finally, HB 2662 would tighten expert-evidence standards in parenting-time cases involving alleged domestic violence or abuse by requiring qualified experts, empirically supported methods, and excluding polygraph-type evidence; the sponsor and a domestic violence advocate said it would reduce reliance on junk science in family court.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the plain language of the statute, it would be.
• Under the plain language<00:36:07.400> of<00:36:07.480> the<00:36:07.600> statute,
• <00:36:27.760> language<00:36:28.080> of which according to the plain language of which
• according to the plain language of the<00:36:28.200> statute,<00:36:28.760> it<00:36:28.880
• bill<00:41:50.520> as the plain language of the bill as the plain language of the bill as

Bills: HB1890, HB1888, HB1676

Keywords: teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a straightforward document written in plain English.
• > of<03:47:17.760> the have a plain reading of the have a plain reading of the Constitution
• Um, the warrant language bothered me on page two, it's line 16.
• Um, the warrant language question.
• I think the NYX language is concerning.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SNAP and to expand food delivery services through its contracted community-based providers, if that language
• also would include for example language also would include for example food<00:03:39.760> banks
• Abortion care access is a labor rights issue, plain and simple.
• Um, and this is issue, plain and simple.
• They do a more robust, um, kind of similar to the language of this bill that eliminates the prescriber

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The HHS committee met in Room 224 and announced the hearing was being streamed live, with a one-minute limit on testimony. The chair explained that written testimony had already been reviewed and that speakers should either add new comments or stand on their written testimony. The committee first heard SB 2211, an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including DHS, Aloha United Way, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the importance of maintaining SNAP-related food assistance and emergency food delivery, while Catholic Charities raised a question about whether the bill’s language would also reach food banks serving food-insecure households that are not on SNAP. No opposition was heard and the bill was moved on without questions from members. The committee then heard SB 2025, which would exempt actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses from jury duty. Testimony was broadly supportive from nursing and health organizations, including the Hawaii American Nurses Association, the Hawaii affiliate of the College of Nurse Midwives, the Hawaii State Board of Nursing, and others. One witness from Kaiser Permanente requested an amendment to include physician assistants, and a committee member asked the Board of Nursing to review that request. The bill otherwise drew no opposition and no further member questions. SB 2038, relating to medication labeling, drew the most extended discussion. The measure would change labeling requirements for certain abortion medications, and testimony was split between supporters who framed it as a privacy and access issue and opponents who raised patient safety, ethics, and transparency concerns. The Department of Health supported the intent but requested an amendment to allow quicker access to private information during investigations without a subpoena. The Board of Pharmacy said it supported the written comments but noted operational challenges and possible cost impacts, while Kaiser said compliance would likely require manual workarounds and could slow pharmacy processes. The chair and members questioned whether patients could simply remove labels themselves, but witnesses said there could still be safety and access issues if the patient is not the one receiving the prescription. The committee then moved on to SB 2050, relating to chiropractic, which received support from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, with no substantive opposition noted. The hearing later turned to SB 201, relating to insurance, which appeared to be a new mandated-benefit measure tied to infertility/IVF coverage. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission provided comments, while Hawaii Family Forum opposed the bill, arguing it went beyond medical infertility and raised ethical and public policy concerns. Kaiser and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans both asked for a study or audit, saying the measure could create new insurance mandates and increase costs for residents and employers. Private Work Hawaii strongly supported the bill as an equity issue. The committee noted there was no quorum for decision-making and deferred action on the measure to a later hearing, then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• intent of the of the um of the language. intent of the of the um of the language.
• language language terminology.<00:37:20.240> Uh<00:37:20.560> today<00:37:20.880> we
• Um we had language has been out there.
• I think our legislation should be written in plain English, and that includes the use of gender language
• legislation should be written in plain legislation should be written in plain English<01:12:12.800

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 20, 2025, to hear a series of Human Services and Health resolutions. HCR 146, which asks the Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project, drew strong support from disability, public health, and hunger advocates. Testifiers emphasized that the measure could create a more uniform benefits application, reduce repeated paperwork, extend certification periods from one year to three years, and ease burdens on both applicants and DHS staff. DHS said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The committee also heard that a universal application could help people with disabilities avoid delays and denials caused by complex or duplicative forms. The committee then heard HR 170/HCR 174, which requests review of Aloha-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system. Supporters from Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii and DebtFree Justice Hawaii said the resolution would help advance restorative justice, community service, and culturally grounded rehabilitation, especially if youth fees and fines are reduced or eliminated. Testimony also supported HR 133/HCR 139, which asks the Office of Wellness and Resilience to report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnesses from the developmental disabilities council, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and others said the pandemic’s trauma and behavioral impacts justify a multidisciplinary, evidence-based report, and the office requested more time to complete its findings, suggesting a deadline at the end of 2026. The committee also heard HR 88/HCR 92, proposing a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program in Honolulu. One testifier described sleeping in a car and said the pilot could provide a safer option, while the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions said it supported the intent but stressed that a sanctuary is still an unsheltered situation and should lead people toward permanent housing. HCR 180, calling for collaboration among homelessness and law enforcement agencies, received comments that many of the issues are already being addressed locally. HR 103/HCR 107, which would convene a working group to strengthen Title 9 protections, received support from education, women’s, and LGBTQ advocates, who asked for student and queer representation on the working group and said federal Title 9 changes make state action important. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved from one resolution to the next after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, I began working at the EERC, where today I manage the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership, or the
• more than 250 member organizations across a 10-state, 4-Canadian province region in the Upper Great Plains
• Then there's a third project that's operating that's co-located with the Great Plains SynFuel plant,
• This legislation includes language specifically to streamline the permitting process for CO2 pipelines

Transcript Highlights:

• time with adult learners on ESL-type programs, and then once they get very comfortable in English language
• CNAs and MAs, the testing is all in English, and if you don't have a strong command of the English language
• Probably the remaining 90% go east to New Mexico and especially the feed yards in the Texas High Plains
• Well, it has transitioned into other states, and specifically probably to the Texas High Plains.
• Well, it has transitioned into other states, and specifically probably to the Texas High Plains.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since these initial cases and outbreak has continued in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of the
• We are continuing to support. the South Plains and Panhandle communities in coordination with the South
• Plains. public health department and the Lubbock public health department through our regional We're
• And so we've done public awareness efforts to cover the Panhandle and South Plains region.
• But you could take that same language, do it four. Because I think it was a.

Keywords: 1184, house, all