Transcript Highlights:

• This Together uh but a little background This Together uh but a little background this<00:24:21.520
• Chair, Senator Limmer, I think it has always been—I will double-check that number—but I can tell you
• <01:08:38.839> I<01:08:38.960> will<01:08:39.239> double<01:08:39.560> check
• <01:08:39.799> that<01:08:40.000> number been I I will double check that number been
• I I will double check that number but<01:08:40.520> I<01:08:40.640> can<01:08:40.839><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills and a Department of Corrections budget overview. On Senate File 9, Senator Rest explained a bipartisan campaign finance refund bill that had previously moved through the Elections Committee and the tax bill process. Members asked about the $10 minimum contribution threshold for reporting and refund eligibility, and Rest said it was a reasonable number suggested by Senator Karan to make the system more efficient. The bill also included data practices language classifying certain refund-related information as private data, with a separate nonpublic classification noted for receipt validation reports. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and re-refer it to the Taxes Committee. The committee then took up Senate File 11, a sales tax exemption for firearm safety devices such as trigger locks and gun safes. Rest described the bill as an extension of prior tax exemptions and clarified that it does not apply to the firearm itself. An A1 clarifying amendment defining “government entity” by reference to statute was adopted. Members discussed the bill’s scope and data privacy language, including a provision making purchase or transfer information private if collected by a government entity. The committee then voted to recommend the amended bill to pass and re-refer it to the Taxes Committee. Next, the committee heard Senate File 456, a bill to update Minnesota’s drug statutes to address fentanyl more directly. Anoka County Assistant County Attorney Sebastian Mesa and Senator Oumou Verbeten testified in support, arguing that fentanyl has become more dangerous than methamphetamine and that the law needs to be updated to give prosecutors a better tool. Members discussed overdose trends and whether more recent statistics were available; one member noted 2023 fentanyl deaths exceeded 1,000, while another said national fatal overdoses had declined since mid-2023. The bill was laid over, with the committee noting it would wait for fiscal analysis before further action. Finally, Commissioner Paul Schnell gave an overview of the Department of Corrections, describing its mission, staffing, prison population, community supervision responsibilities, and budget context. He emphasized rehabilitation, evidence-based practices, reentry support, and the public safety benefits of reducing recidivism. No vote was taken on the department presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• check,' then the carrier can see whether there was enough time to get the mail received, or if the check
• if the check doesn't come and<00:17:49.039> the<00:17:49.160> claimant<00:17:49.600>
• and then the carrier can see the check and then the carrier can see whether<00:17:55.799> there
• m or if the check um was cashed<00:18:01.880> or<00:18:02.039> if<00:18:02.200> it<
• <00:18:24.000> received on both sides to get the check received on both sides to get the check

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and reviewed several measures. SB 102 would restrict third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant; the Attorney General recommended amendments to strengthen the bill against First Amendment and Contracts Clause challenges, and the Hawaii Restaurant Association strongly supported it, saying restaurants should control who represents them. The committee also heard SB 137 on electric utility mergers and acquisitions, with support from Ulupono Initiative and IBW Local 1260. Supporters said the bill would preserve state policy protections, including renewable energy and rate-making goals, and protect workers; IBW also suggested amendments, including a severability clause. The committee discussed a possible alternative approach from the PUC involving solicitation of bids from non-investor-owned utilities, and Ulupono said it would consider that idea but was concerned about preserving time for co-op formation. Members then heard SB 142, which would require insurers paying claims by check to send them by certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt. The Insurance Division stood on its written testimony, while the Hawaiian Insurers Council, State Farm, NAMIC, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposed the bill. A senator questioned whether the measure was too prescriptive and could create problems for claimants displaced by disasters; the response was that insurers and claimants usually remain in contact and that other payment methods may already be available depending on the carrier. SB 157 would ban algorithmic price setting in Hawaii’s rental market and require a public education program; the committee noted written testimony in support and comment, but no oral testimony was taken before moving on. SB 158 would create a state-owned bank implementation board within DCCA; DCCA’s financial institutions division, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments, while the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed and the Hawaii Credit Union League commented. The committee also heard SB 318, which would require DCCA to adopt privacy rules for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and specify whether genetic information may be used for investigative genetic genealogy. The Office of Consumer Protection and Andrew Crossland opposed the bill, saying federal law and existing state protections already cover much of the area and that rulemaking would be a better way to address it; members raised concerns about federal changes and the need for state protections, but OCP said the bill was not the best approach. SB 332 would prohibit bundling foreclosed homes at public sale and delay finality of sales; L. Strong and written testimony supported it, citing Lahaina’s post-fire foreclosure risks and warning of investors profiting from the disaster. The final measure, SB 525, would require written notice and consent before mortuaries, cemeteries, or pre-need funeral authorities sell or recycle precious metals recovered after cremation. DCCA’s consumer protection and licensing divisions offered comments, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association opposed the bill, saying it was surprised by the measure and was unaware of current consumer problems in the industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a real gem in check it out.
• <01:25:38.800> checks<01:25:39.360> and<01:25:39.600> his to conduct background
• checks and his to conduct background checks and his redefinition<01:25:40.560> of<01:25:40.800
• If you check Senate research, you know, it goes back and forth.
• /c><02:27:25.840> Senate Senate stand. uh if you check Senate Senate stand. uh if you check Senate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did double check. So we go from 13,000 from West Fargo to 68. Right.
• Funds were also used on background checks, safety supplies, first aid materials, environmental services
• Funds were also used on background checks, safety supplies, first aid materials, environmental services
• They basically do a double-check after it's over to make sure everything looks sound.
• They basically do a double-check after it's over to make sure everything looks sound.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We always check IDs. Yeah, online they don't check ID, and we work harder to follow all the rules.
• We always check IDs. Yeah, online they don't check ID, and we work harder to follow all the rules.
• We always check IDs. Yeah, online they don't check ID, and we work harder to follow all the rules.
• We train our employees to check IDs. 21. We train our employees to check IDs.
• Those sellers do not check ID. sellers. Those sellers do not check ID.

Bills: HB1977, HB1764, HB1934, HB2533, HB1790, HB2181, HB1870, HB2140, HB2468, HB2358, HB1588, HB1688, HB1986, HB2030, HB2195, HB1949, HB1695, HB1950, HB2094, HB2115, HB2297, HB2336, HB2416, HB2049

Keywords: maternal health, infant health, mobile application, Medicaid, healthcare access, state programs, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, libraries, education, reading programs, early childhood, nonprofit, community engagement, teacher retention, Hawaiian language education, special needs schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, just checking. How about those of you with children? Yeah, what do they sit on?
• HB 3923 supports Texans from diverse educational backgrounds while promoting a more inclusive and efficient
• the national board exam, a hands-on clinical assessment or equivalency at residency, and criminal background
• checks.

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• first picture on, on the, uh, PowerPoint slide is actually of this project, and you can see in the background
• They masticated, and if you see this picture in the background, that's what that big machine is.
• You guys have been doing this for several years up here, checking all these wells, and, you know, and
• Yeah, although maybe we'll double check in our books here. Yeah, don't.

Transcript Highlights:

• As pharmacists, we agree with our physician colleagues on the importance of well-checked visits and reinforce
• Chairman, for the opportunity to lay this bill out. know that my background has been in correctional
• health professionals be the ones that do the EDOs, if possible, because... because they have the background
• Chair's intention to recess at a About 10 minutes to 11, so we will have time to get to the floor to check

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Swanson: We'll double check that.
• So, and just check with the, if we need to with the Attorney General's office to make sure that we are
• And these policies have a really dark background.
• Frank Bliss: I've been listening to the testimony today and, Frank Bliss: To be clear, my background

Transcript Highlights:

• offense by entering our country illegally, and they're being released with no information about their background
• It's about time for DAs to, for their report card to be checked as well. Now, I am.
• But then something didn't feel right, so she got up and went in and checked in on her mom.
• She was in the background when she talked to her dad. She then called his sister. multiple times.

Bills: SB9, SB1047, SB1048, SJR17, SJR49, SB40, SJR1, SJR5, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 1

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• uh and who have process uh background uh and who have process uh process<00:30:58.320> Improvement
• to serve uh type of business background to serve uh and<00:31:06.120> we<00:31:06.279> have
• I just sent a check to you guys for $173,000. $173,000? Oh, great.
• Trust me, Employment Security checks do not cover what your expenses are.
• do not cover what your expenses checks do not cover what your expenses are<02:44:57.640> that's

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also will continue the discussion on this portion of the bill as we move forward, but that's a background
• also will continue the discussion on this portion of the bill as we move forward, but that's a background
• also will continue the discussion on this portion of the bill as we move forward, but that's a background
• that's a background. that's a background.
• Chair, members, and Senator Dornink, thank you for double-checking on this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OHA is comprised and led by kanaka, including some of us with extensive background in Hawaiian history
• OHA is comprised and led by kanaka, including some of us with extensive background in Hawaiian history
• I stand on my written testimony for some of the background of how we, to this day, so really the question
• <00:10:58.519> of<00:10:58.800> how<00:10:58.959> we some of the background
• of how we some of the background of how we to<00:11:00.200> this<00:11:00.639> day<00:11

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I highly encourage all of you to go to that website and check it out and see the stories of the lives
• that's going to require people to go to the schools to do the training. to go to that website and check
• it out to go to that website and check it out and<00:53:43.200> see<00:53:43.359> the<
• <01:10:49.199> By<01:10:49.520> supporting from diverse backgrounds.
• By supporting from diverse backgrounds.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vaccines, and two of them were duplicates of something he'd already had because they didn't bother to check
• They didn't check the ACEs site.
• seeing with the contracts, it was really Representative Gillette that has been doing a lot of the background
• checking and the asking for the actual numbers and the actual paper trail.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the plan's goals, through goal setting tied to actual student outcomes, regular progress checks
• Outcomes, regular progress checks, as well as coaching cycles, leadership reflection, and capacity building
• As summit coaches, they will build upon this extensive background knowledge and learn how to develop
• Does PED ever check teacher turnover in schools? Do you ever ask that question to superintendents?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your background. I think everybody else does, too.
• He can check my voting record.
• I was checking with my... folks back home on something.
• We approved the application, saying that all of the boxes were checked and all of that.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's no committee that is more El Paso friendly; you can check with Senator Blanco, okay?
• El Paso friendly, you can check with Senator Blanco, okay? So thanks so much.
• they're, like, reviewing the structural plans to make sure the house isn't going to fall down, but they check
• Just off of that sheer volume there, that makes you wonder how much is in the background that hasn't

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government considered and voted on several bills, adopting committee substitutes on Senate Bills 1237, 1708, 1844, 1454, 2520, and 2541. In each case, the committee substitute was explained as narrowing or clarifying the filed bill, and the committee voted to report the substitute version to the full Senate, usually with a recommendation that the filed bill not pass. The committee also recommended each of those measures for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1237 concerned property tax exemption eligibility for charitable organizations; SB 1844 addressed annexation and disannexation limits tied to city services; SB 1454 clarified housing authority tax exemptions and agreements with districts; SB 2520 dealt with a school district tax ceiling comparison; and SB 2541 reduced the unused increment period from three years to two years. The committee then heard extensive testimony on SB 2354, which would allow developers to hire qualified third-party professionals for plat review, permit review, and inspections if local governments are delayed. Supporters included affordable housing providers, builders, Pew Charitable Trusts, housing advocates, and legal groups, who said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help housing production. A Corpus Christi representative testified as neutral, asking for amendments to preserve city final inspection authority, document sharing, and floodplain enforcement. Urban counties opposed the bill as written, arguing it removed too much local oversight, though they acknowledged work on a committee substitute. SB 2354 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2703, which would clarify that condominiums are not subdivisions for local platting purposes. Builders and a land use attorney supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion and duplicative regulation; the bill was left pending. SB 777, dealing with firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures, drew support from Austin and Texarkana firefighter representatives and the City of Austin, who said the committee substitute reflected stakeholder agreement and preserved voter-approved local procedures; it was left pending. SB 2965, concerning annexation and emergency service district response obligations, drew support from ESD and fire association witnesses who said it would prevent service gaps after annexation, and opposition from local officials who argued it gave unelected ESD boards too much power and lacked neutral review; it was also left pending. The committee then recessed subject to call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• mandated the agency is mandated to query licensee criminal conduct through finger fingerprint-based background
• checks, checks, track arrests and charges, and impose disciplinary actions for illegal practices during
• Check calls Chris Harris. Thank you for being here today.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the facilities that are there, maybe I'll take... the gentleman up and go out there and check
• hope someday to be able to come here to testify in support of policies like requiring a universal background
• check on all gun sales, ensuring all firearms are stored securely, and keeping ... guns out of the hands
• Until then, I implore you on behalf of so many students across Texas to not cut a blank check to cities

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy