Transcript Highlights:

• They did state-specific studies, so those are Minnesota-specific numbers, and they took a driver profile
• They did state-specific studies, so those are Minnesota-specific numbers, and they took a driver profile
• They did state-specific studies, so those are Minnesota-specific numbers, and they took a driver profile
• They did state-specific studies, so those are Minnesota-specific numbers, and they took a driver profile
• They did state-specific studies, so those are Minnesota-specific numbers, and they took a driver profile

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be taking a lead on this one for our team, and this is where we're going to study state education
• We're going to look at commissions in other states.
• The School of Blind, the two state schools...
• It has been studied multiple times. It always seems like the study, we try and tweak the formula.
• That's why we come to this body to have these discussions and to really state the truth— to state the

Transcript Highlights:

• For how well the state is doing relative to other states.
• There's no state oversight, no state certification.
• What does the state, what is the base paid given to districts by the state?
• the state minimum.
• So you have a K-12 program of study really, a high school program of study, and. college program of study

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:57.240> motion if we have if the interim study motion if we have if the interim study
• were indicating that the lack of state were indicating that the lack of state oversight,<00:12:30.040
• <00:15:31.240> before moving this to interim study before moving this to interim study before
• We'll see vote on the interim study.
• . study. study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• estimate um over $2 billion of state estimate um over $2 billion of state income<01:04:33.920>
• When I read testimony opposed to a study, I don't know what's so scary about a study.
• When I read testimony opposed to a study, I don't know what's so scary about a study.
• > study.
• intimidated by just studying the issue? intimidated by just studying the issue?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills on water, land, housing, permitting, and historic preservation. For SB 746/SD2/HD1 on invasive species, DLNR and the Department of Agriculture supported the intent but warned that a bounty approach for coconut rhinoceros beetle could have unintended consequences, divert resources from biocontrol research, and be vulnerable to abuse; Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure. The committee also heard SB 1541 on the WoE water system, with testimony from ADC, Kunia Village Title Holding Company, and Farm Bureau in support, emphasizing the importance of the system for agriculture and the high cost of water on lands already dedicated to farming. The most extensive discussion was on SB 66, relating to building permit review and county permitting authority. DPP opposed the bill, saying the problem is not just agency review time but the broader permitting process, including applicant corrections, outside-agency review, staffing shortages, and low pay that make it hard to fill vacancies. DPP said it already meets or beats existing review deadlines for residential permits and is using tools like electronic plans and AI to help applicants submit better plans. Several supporters, including Iron Workers Local 625, an individual witness, and Hawaii Food Industry Association, backed the bill but urged a pilot program or other safeguards; some also asked for broader permit coverage beyond single-family homes. Committee members questioned DPP about whether applicant correction time should count against the clock, whether self-certification could be used, and whether the state should fund any new mandate. The committee then took up SB 26 on affordable housing, with HHFDC, OPSD, and HCDA in support and no opposition noted. Finally, on SB 1263 relating to historic preservation, HHFDC and DLNR supported the bill, while OHA offered comments and requested amendments, especially on the new risk-based review process for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas. OHA said the new procedure should be implemented carefully and allowed more time, describing it as a pilot that should be done well to be useful while still protecting cultural and historic resources. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the list, I'll start with the state entities.
• City, county, and state.
• I looked into other states and about three years ago, the National Association of State Retirement Administrators
• The state statutes allow for some discretion.
• steps of the study could look like.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I’m from the western part of the state, and I have a university in my district, Westfield State.
• And when I go speak to students at Westfield State University, I... ...in my district, Westfield State
• We study all sorts of other problems; we haven't studied this one systematically.
• So it might be genocide studies; it could also be Middle Eastern studies; it can be the study of Islam
• We're there to study for different reasons, even though we're all there to study religion.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the July 9, 2025 minutes and a roll call confirming quorum. DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez gave his first official testimony, affirming the department’s commitment to preventing antisemitism and societal bias in schools, saying DESE supports the commission’s recommendations and will add staff resources to help develop and disseminate guidance and instructional materials. He said DESE’s rubric and guidance for identifying effective curricula and resources should be finalized in late fall, and commissioners welcomed the partnership and asked about the ongoing Section 98A work. The commission then heard from Professor Eitan Hirsch of Tufts, who presented research on antisemitism and campus climate. He described survey findings showing sharply different Jewish and non-Jewish views on Israel, increasing social pressure on Jewish students, and a growing tendency for Jewish students to hide their identity or feel penalized for participating in Jewish life. He argued that colleges need to do more to teach students how to handle dissent and build cultures of viewpoint diversity, and commissioners asked about best practices, regional differences, and the role of campus climate surveys. Rabbi Fine of UMass Amherst Hillel and student Sky Landau testified about antisemitism at UMass, especially since October 7. Fine described both a thriving Jewish student community and serious incidents including harassment, vandalism, classroom issues, protests, and students hiding Jewish identity; he said the university is working with Hillel and DEI leadership on goals and strategy for Jewish inclusion, and he urged more training and structured dialogue. Landau described antisemitic incidents she experienced or witnessed, including hostile BDS meetings, exclusion of Zionist students, Holocaust denial, threats, and social ostracism, and said Hillel was the only consistently safe space for her. Commissioners discussed reporting pathways, affinity groups, mental health supports, and ways to distinguish criticism of Israel from antisemitism. Later, the commission moved to its recommendations and made several edits before voting, including deleting offensive wording in a footnote, adding a citation to recent FBI hate crime data, and restoring language tied to an existing DESE regulation, 603 CMR 26.05, on classroom neutrality and fact-based instruction. Commissioners also reiterated that criticism of Israel’s government is not inherently antisemitic. The meeting included a brief interruption by a protester, after which the commission recessed and then resumed its work on the draft recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the state is feasible.
• Thank you, Madam Chair. ...you know what unfolds with BWS before embarking on this desalination study
• Pursuant to Act 238, passed in 2022, they did a decarbonization study that was a significant body of
• <00:16:21.240> Energy 106 I did contact the State Energy 106 I did contact the State Energy
• easement covering a portion of State easement covering a portion of State submerged<00:24:17.159

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Land met on March 21, 2025, and considered several resolutions related to water resources, coastal management, and energy planning. On SCR 42/SR 27, which urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine ponds, DLNR supported the measure and suggested a technical correction changing a reference from the Division of Agriculture to the Division of Aquatic Resources. Testimony from Hā‘ena Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and individuals was in support. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. The committee also heard SCR 54/SR 36, which would create a desalination planning task force to study whether large-scale desalination for potable water is feasible. DLNR and CWRM said the proposal was a large undertaking and raised capacity concerns, noting the Board of Water Supply was already moving forward with its own desalination planning. BWS testified in support, saying its project was still in planning and design, with construction not expected until late 2027 or 2028, and that the project would produce about 1.7 million gallons per day to supplement Ewa’s water supply. Members discussed whether the task force might duplicate existing work and noted the measure focused on consumption rather than other desalination uses. The committee ultimately recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. For SCR 59/SR 43, which asked DLNR, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to work together on maintaining the Kihei ramp, DLNR reported ongoing collaboration and listed prior improvements including paving, washdown work, dredging, and a retaining wall. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. On SCR 106/SR 87, which requested a study of which energy sector could be most quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through public investment in combustion-free alternatives, OPSD said the State Energy Office had already completed a decarbonization study under Act 238 (2022) and a follow-up alternative fuels analysis, and suggested the resolution duplicated existing work. Energy Justice Network testified in support, arguing the proposal would build on prior studies by focusing on non-combustion options such as wind, solar, and storage. Despite support from several organizations and individuals, the committee deferred the measure indefinitely. The committee also passed SR 18 as is, passed SC 51/SR 33 as is, deferred SC 47, and passed SC 76/SR 59 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• This summer we had a legislative study group, and it was established to study the issues related to student
• a a a study group a legislative study a a a study group a legislative study group<00:03:21.159><
• group and it was established to study group and it was established to study the<00:03:23.120>
• <00:24:52.640> to country and one of the best states to country and one of the best states
• On line 1.7, delete “studies” and insert “study.”

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Teachers uh Hawaii State Teachers uh Hawaii State Teachers Association<00:03:02.000> will<
• Specifically, how many previous studies do you know of? There's been two studies.
• And uh um studies being done. Okay.
• studies was called the women's studies studies was called the women's studies and<00:09:19.120><
• of the state council on mental health. of the state council on mental health.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025. The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended. For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so those studies take time.
• And these studies are very large and complicated.
• And you have to do a study on each home?
• We did that study. in 22 and implemented them in 23 and our study previous to that the 10-year CI was
• It applies to every city in the state of Texas.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of our counterparts in other states have done tax incident studies.
• states have done tax incident studies. states have done tax incident studies.
• to state.
• If we were to do it, if we have the data to do our study for each state, the results might be a little
• If we were to do it, if we have the data to do our study for each state, the results might be a little

Bills: HF331, HF916

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• CWA represents about 3,000 positions across 13 state agencies.
• The state should really be a shining example of employment for other employers in the state, in our opinion
• How many agencies in the state does this affect, or is this study going to look at every agency, or is
• I could get a little more in the weeds if you want me to, but in the State Personnel Act, it states that
• Madam Chair, so would your, in theory, would this study help?

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met and first heard House Memorial 7, which asks Legislative Council Service, the State Personnel Office, DFA, and GSD to study the use of temporary, term, seasonal, casual, on-call, and other non-regular classifications in state government. The memorial was presented as a response to concerns that some workers are repeatedly terminated and rehired, sometimes after a one-day break, to avoid regular status and associated benefits. Testimony from CWA and AFSCME described long-term temporary workers at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and other agencies who allegedly do full-time work without health insurance, retirement, leave, or consistent pay progression, and who in some cases were denied union coverage. Committee members questioned the scope, definitions of temporary employment, and whether the issue should instead be referred to the state auditor; the sponsor said the study would gather data and recommendations first. The committee voted due pass, and House Memorial 7 passed unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 177, which appropriates funds to the Veterans Services Department to contract for shelter and care of service and companion animals so veterans can access housing, medical care, and other services without fearing separation from their pets. Support came from the Veterans Services Department, Animal Protection New Mexico, and the Veterans and Military Families Caucus/Veterans Integration Center, all of whom said pets are often a barrier to veterans seeking care and that existing community-based animal boarding models could be used. The bill received no opposition, and the committee voted due pass with no opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill intended to update and clarify the Public Employees Retirement Act and align it with administrative practice. Testimony focused on a provision allowing PERA to use licensed physicians, including out-of-state physicians who can be licensed in New Mexico, to serve on the disability review process when needed so disability cases are not delayed. Committee members raised concerns about ensuring medical expertise and avoiding abuse of the licensing flexibility, but PERA explained the change was meant to address recruitment difficulties and maintain timely review. The committee voted due pass on House Bill 43.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and restricted use pesticides do vary from state to state, so every state has a different list of
• <00:02:03.039> state<00:02:03.439> has<00:02:03.680> a from state to state so
• every state has a from state to state so every state has a different<00:02:04.600> list<00:02
• impact um the reason that the state impact um the reason that the state plays<00:02:16.640> such
• There was a study in Colombia, and there was a Jamaco study in California.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.

Transcript Highlights:

• , one member from the African American Studies Department from UNLV, Reno, NSU, which is Nevada State
• That should be changed because it's actually Nevada State University now, and...
• That should be changed because it's actually Nevada State University now.
• It'll be a subcommittee that studies in the interim.
• It is only to study, find truth, find, you know, Policy proposals.

Bills: AB328, AB397

Keywords: Juneteenth, education, economic commission, cultural affairs, racial healing, policy recommendations, African-American studies, higher education, fee waivers, Native American students, unaccompanied youth, academic progress, Nevada System of Higher Education, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, 19 states have restricted the use of PFAS-based foams, with 15 of those states banning
• While we love this state, there's no doubt that with bills like this, other states will offer greener
• We've learned that. in the state.
• States.
• That is a priority for not only the United States but also the state of California.

Bills: SB1757, SB1758, SB1898, SB2050

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• members that this is such a complex issue that it's one the state should study and look at before we
• look<06:13:13.558> at one the state should study and look at one the state should study and
• state studies it and we would hope the state studies it and and<06:15:22.840> that's<06:15:23.080
• this issue uh and study it from a<06:15:41.400> state<06:15:41.680> perspective<06:15:
• study here would it be done by the state study here would it be done by the state or<06:21:16.440

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• interim study. interim study.
• state of the vote. state of the vote.
• initiative state. initiative state.
• to interim study. to interim study.
• Speaker, if I know that the only further study needed on this bill is picking up the New Hampshire State

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• study motion on Senate Bill 462? study motion on Senate Bill 462?
• I'd like to move interim study. Second. Is there any discussion on the interim study motion?
• and so they're 100% both the state and so they're 100% both the state >> and<00:11:56.160>
• Is there a like to move interimm study. Is there a second? second? second?
• study motion? study motion?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• formally by the state of New Hampshire. formally by the state of New Hampshire.
• examined in other states.
• You said Maine did a full study.
• 02.880> the<00:55:03.040> study study.
• Connecticut stopped the study study.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all