Transcript Highlights:

• The second amendment replaces the term judicial officer with covered officer." adoption of the amendments
• > the<01:57:57.200> term Amendment number two replaces the term Amendment number two replaces
• The second amendment<01:59:49.480> replaces<01:59:49.920> the<01:59:50.000> term
• <01:59:50.240> judicial amendment replaces the term judicial amendment replaces the term judicial
• <01:59:52.760> Um The amendment replaces the term “judicial officer” with “covered officer

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met with 122 members present, heard the journal read, and proceeded through a long series of Senate messages, concurrence motions, and third-reading votes on a wide range of bills. Early business included conference committee appointments on Senate Bill 159 (Emergency Medical Services Vehicles and Ambulances, Required Supplies), Senate Bill 514 (Third Degree Assault), and Senate Bill 866 (Chain Restaurants, disclosure of sodium and added sugars), along with several other bills where the House declined to recede from its amendments and named conferees. The chamber also adopted concurrence on House Bill 1181 (children in out-of-home placement) and House Bill 1219 (climate change/homeowners insurance study), and adopted a favorable committee report on House Bill 1602 (no-cost cancer screening for volunteer firefighters), which was amended to add sponsors, make technical changes, and include retired volunteer firefighters before being ordered printed for third reading. The House then took up a Rules Committee consent calendar and moved a batch of bills to the appropriate committees. On third reading, it passed House Bill 1028 (Caroline County Board of Education compensation increase) and House Bill 1599 (Choptank River Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund) by constitutional majorities. It also rejected Senate amendments on House Bill 107 (Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program), House Bill 153 (residential rental apartments air conditioning requirement), House Bill 1063 (hunting management), and House Bill 1067 (lead and lead-based ammunition phase out), appointing conference committees in each case. House Bill 717 (Baltimore City raffles for organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams) and House Bill 892 (cemeteries, actions for sale/transfer/alternate use) also had Senate amendments rejected. The chamber then passed a series of Senate bills on third reading, including Senate Bill 309 (precious metal bullion or coins sales tax exemption), 523 (vernal pools identification), 742 (Maryland Protecting People with Disabilities Act), 141 (election misinformation/disinformation and deep fakes), 298 (Maryland Capital Police statewide jurisdiction), 515 (Health Services Cost Review Commission rate setting), 638 (Maryland Heritage Areas funding and grants), 28 (state employee arbitration reform), 72 (Baltimore County off-premises alcohol sales), 361 (Baltimore City alcoholic beverages license extension), 414 (Anne Arundel County nonprofit swim club license), 601 (cybersecurity standards), 305 (incarcerated individual training and reentry grant fund extension), 331 (retired law enforcement handgun permit renewal), 516 (protective body armor requirements and reporting), 651 (transfer-on-death deed establishment), 865 (private passenger automobile insurance work group), 933 (temporary appointment to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities), 261 (money transmission act definition changes), and 823 (Parole Commission selection committee changes). Most passed with little or no debate; Senate Bill 523 drew opposition from a delegate who warned that identifying vernal pools could lead to future regulation and land-use restrictions, while Senate Bill 823 prompted questions about victims’ rights and whether state’s attorneys remained opposed, with the floor leader saying the bill added a victims’ rights advocate to the selection committee and that opposition had been limited to written testimony. Several members later changed votes on Senate Bill 638 and Senate Bill 865 before the House moved on.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:16.080> I replace the person while they're gone.
• I replace the person while they're gone.
• replace replace themselves.<00:35:43.680> The themselves.
• Does this license purport to replace the cocktail lounge license? Thank you, Senator Murphy.
• No, it does not replace the cocktail lounge license.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can go out for other taxes to replace the ones that are not working for them with things like you
• Now they have control over the other local option tax levers that they can adjust down or replace out
• There is no magic money tree to replace this revenue.
• There is no magic money tree to replace this revenue.
• I've had four joint replacements: an ankle, an elbow, and both knees.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• how we replace the restoration of that? how we replace the restoration of that?
• how we replace the loss. Well, we with some of some of the loss.
• budget trust a replace this education budget trust a replace this education budget trust fund when when
• What the amendment does is replace line What the amendment does is replace line What the amendment does
• is replace line 78.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> just have it flow to the existing system just have it flow to the existing system of of of Replacements
• uh you know maybe your Replacements uh you know maybe your placard<00:38:12.839> isn't<00:38:
• <01:31:11.080> activities<01:31:11.840> on<01:31:12.000> the and replacement
• activities on the and replacement activities on the turnpike<01:31:13.040> system<01:31:14.040
• So when you use a toll credit, you're replacing one-to-one toll credit for $1 of federal funds.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this official uh the dismiss or replace this official uh the CEO<00:41:34.760> as<00:41:35.079
• What Senate File 626, with the A1 amendment, would do is simply remove the executive board and replace
• What Senate File 626, with the A1 amendment, would do is simply remove the executive board and replace
• What Senate File 626, with the A1 amendment, would do is simply remove the executive board and replace
• What Senate File 626, with the A1 amendment, would do is simply remove the executive board and replace

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee received an informational overview from Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) staff on the agency’s role and current operations as it transitions from DHS. DCT described itself as Minnesota’s unique state behavioral health system, serving about 12,000 people annually through treatment facilities, residential group homes, and vocational sites, with about 5,000 staff and five major service lines including forensic services and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. The presentation also reviewed the new executive board required by statute and the 47 work groups created to support DCT’s move to separate-agency status, with staff saying the board is in place, has met, and the work groups are on track for the July 1 deadline. Committee discussion focused heavily on system capacity, staffing shortages, and discharge bottlenecks. DCT said recruiting and retaining staff remains its top pressure, with many vacancies and overtime contributing to burnout. Members also raised concerns about long waits for admission, lack of step-down and community-based placements, and the effect on county jails and hospitals. DCT said it has expanded some capacity, including increasing beds in Willmar, reopening the Ironwood unit in St. Peter, and repurposing the CARE program site to add 16 forensic beds, but emphasized that the broader problem is the lack of community-based options rather than just DCT beds. Members also discussed priority admissions and a prior task force process for handling jail referrals. DCT said the priority admissions framework began July 1 of the previous year, uses factors such as medical acuity and impact on referring facilities, and is intended to help with backflow, though it does not solve the underlying bed shortage. Staff said the priority admissions review panel’s report is due February 15. In response to questions about a high-cost one-to-one care placement, DCT said it had found a less costly alternative and that each case has unique needs. DCT also reported progress on an electronic health record rollout and said a substance use disorder report requested by the Legislature is nearing completion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This backup provider system, this permanent statewide one, was established in 2022 as a replacement for
• Institutions can provide services, but cannot replace belonging, agency, or the social ties that actually
• Yes, lawyers and accountants have value, but no spreadsheet can replace the insight of a parent who has
• No professional credential can replace the wisdom of a self-advocate who has lived through segregation
• It does not replace or supersede the option for in-person support, and it does not alter the existing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That replaces the narrower term of tow truck operator with the more appropriate language of employee.
• For example, it replaces references from state police communications to a more general terminology of
• > term<01:38:27.840> of<01:38:28.000> tow That replaces the narrower term of tow
• That replaces the narrower term of tow truck<01:38:28.520> operator<01:38:29.560> with
• amend the bill by replacing all after section nine.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Transportation opened public hearings on three Senate bills and discussed a fourth scheduling issue. On SB 499, which would change Traffic Safety Commission reporting requirements, the sponsor’s representative said the bill would require annual aggregated data on the causes of traffic collisions in New Hampshire and recommendations to address them. Members asked about the added Trauma Medical Review Committee seat, and a representative explained that it is a longstanding state board of emergency and trauma professionals; the bill had already been amended and passed unanimously earlier in the process. On SB 500, concerning restroom access for certain commercial motor vehicle operators, the sponsor and trucking-industry supporters said the measure arose from concerns raised by female truck drivers and was intended to require larger commercial facilities with available public or employee restrooms to allow truck drivers to use them when there are no public safety concerns. Supporters from the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said driver shortages make it important to recruit and retain women, and that lack of bathroom access is a significant barrier. Committee members asked about the scope of the problem and whether the issue affected male and female drivers differently. The committee then heard SB 559, which would reduce the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads. Supporters, including bicyclists and the Bike-Walk Alliance, testified that lower speeds improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, citing personal crash experiences and national guidance supporting lower urban speed limits where warranted by traffic or engineering studies. They emphasized the bill would not mandate lower limits statewide but would give towns local discretion. Members questioned whether the group would support 15 mph limits and how congestion and travel-time concerns were weighed. A Department of Transportation official testified neutrally, saying the agency had no formal position but had concerns about public perception and possible spillover to unnumbered state roads. The chair also noted an earlier scheduling problem that prevented immediate executive action on a bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• be replacing. be replacing.
• One guiding question that we ask about technology is: what is screen time replacing?
• For our early learners, is screen time replacing rich engagement with print, language exchange with peers
• school educator and founder of Pencil Box Solutions, remarked on the development of tech skills. replacing
• rich engagement with print, replacing rich engagement with print, language<00:14:14.600> exchange

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should the units be moved, he said he would easily replace them and it would not affect peace at all.
• Should the units be moved, he said he would easily replace them and it would not affect peace at all.
• Should the units be moved, he said he would easily replace them and it would not affect peace at all.
• Should the units be moved, he said he would easily replace them and it would not affect peace at all.
• Should the units be moved, he said he would easily replace them and it would not affect peace at all.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, to me, there’s no replacement for the interpersonal aspects of law enforcement that officers provide
• Um, but you know, I’m on team if we can have technology replace something that a person would otherwise
• Um, but you know, I’m on team if we can have technology replace something that a person would otherwise
• Um, but you know, I’m on team if we can have technology replace something that a person would otherwise
• Um, but you know, I’m on team if we can have technology replace something that a person would otherwise

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• weekly benefits paid pursuant to RSA 281-A by an employer's insurance carrier that are intended to replace
• portion of which is also eventually owed back to the employer by that employee. that are intended to replace
• some that are intended to replace some portion<00:04:50.039> of<00:04:50.199> the<00:04
• If I could jump in quickly, I think to get to your question, this bill would not replace the I-9 in our
• I think um this bill would not replace I think um this bill would not replace the<00:45:03.920><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• desktops lasted just one year longer, the amount of pollution eliminated from not manufacturing replacements
• We replaced the fixed five-year minimum for the support time frame and added flexibility for technical
• SB 876 strengthens consumer protections by requiring insurers to provide accurate replacement cost estimates
• Our view is that the replacement of human actors with computer-generated synthetics, perhaps trained
• Last year, over 100 stations in a nationwide radio network replaced all of their voice actors with AI

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• desktops lasted just one year longer, the amount of pollution eliminated from not manufacturing replacements
• We replaced the fixed five-year minimum for the support time frame and added flexibility for technical
• SB 876 strengthens consumer protections by requiring insurers to provide accurate replacement cost estimates
• Our view is that the replacement of human actors with computer-generated synthetics, perhaps on stolen
• Last year, over 100 stations in a nationwide radio network replaced all of their voice actors with AI

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's replacing the inestimably talented Lisa Dieseland. I know you'll do fantastic.
• We rely on metrics like funding ratios, replacement ratios, and so forth that don't change from year
• So, we are providing an income replacement of about 40%, and that's with pension dollars only.
• Social Security benefits, and of course those numbers aren't included or reflected into that income replacement
• So, we are providing an income replacement of about 40%, and that's with pension dollars only.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Deal Coalition, Clean Water Action, Protect Monterey County, Prevention Institute, Climate First Replacing
• And the global market and company strategy to replace state demand with exports is the major determinant
• Projects that involve the conversion or replacement of an existing source, a major air pollution source
• This bill has a due pass recommendation from me. version of a replacement of an existing source, a major
• I want to emphasize that this is not a replacement for other funding sources for affordable housing,

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can be replaced." And so, Mr.
• , for example, the project that applied for funding to build 50 to 60 new rental housing units to replace
• A school bus that a school district is interested in replacing and the electric vehicle cost.
• So, the public schools receive funding to replace school buses on a regular basis, and this program would
• Costs, the maintenance costs, battery, excuse me, and there's an increased cost on battery replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, I would ask Representative Gates to state that the replacement reserves stay with
• In other words, just don't do a deal for 15 years, accumulate all these replacement reserves, and then
• And that 15 percent, there's a lot of things that can qualify under there, from replacing carpet to replacing
• Economic studies demonstrate that when governments do so, when they replace earned income with handouts
• Those people who are dissatisfied with your performance or your county programs can replace you with

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223, HB323, HB524, HB530, HB636, HB762, HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• their records, contracts, and communications files, hard drives degrade, servers die, servers need replacing
• Hard drives die, servers need replacing, and operating systems become obsolete.
• Even as we speak, surveyors are needed to replace tens of thousands of boundary monuments for thousands
• /c><00:58:27.280> are<00:58:27.359> needed<00:58:27.559> to<00:58:27.680> replace
• we speak surveyors are needed to replace we speak surveyors are needed to replace tens<00:58:28.160

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1 and SB 1561 on vegetation management near utility lines and wildfire prevention. Testimony focused on requiring DLNR to create and update wildfire hazard maps, setting vegetation-trimming responsibilities for property owners near rights-of-way and utility lines, and authorizing utilities to enter property to remove hazardous vegetation. DLNR, the PUC, and Hawaiian Electric all testified, with Hawaiian Electric asking for clearer access language, after-the-fact notification in imminent-risk situations, and liability limits. Committee members discussed balancing wildfire response with property rights and the need for clearer responsibility and enforcement, including on easements and utility poles. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1 pass with amendments, incorporating comments from testimony, and SB 1561 was deferred. The next major item was SB 640 on artificial intelligence disclosures. The bill would require businesses and individuals in commercial transactions to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with an AI chatbot or similar technology, and it would create private rights of action and penalties. TechNet, the Office of Consumer Protection, and the Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about vague definitions, overbroad application, enforcement, and the private cause of action; the Chamber also argued the bill could burden small businesses that use AI tools for routine functions. In response to questions, OCP said the measure was ambiguous as to who it applies to and that the remedies and treble-damages provisions were unclear. The committee recommended SB 640 be deferred. The committee also heard SB 454 on prorating the rental motor vehicle surcharge tax when a vehicle is rented for only part of a day. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the proposal would make the tax system fairer but more complex and would require better recordkeeping by rental companies; the Department of Taxation and Enterprise Mobility also submitted comments. Senator Melby noted possible effects on the special highway fund and said that could affect his vote. The measure was referred onward, with the discussion indicating it would proceed to Ways and Means. Finally, the committee heard SB 1272 on towing, which would create a licensing framework for tow companies. Testimony from tow-industry representatives strongly supported the measure, describing unlicensed or noncompliant operators, poor insurance practices, and the need for accountability and consumer protection. They said a licensing board would give regulators a clearer enforcement avenue and help ensure fair treatment of vehicle owners. The hearing ended before a final action was taken on SB 1272 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The total of $11.9 million includes a design for a new district court in South Kohala, replacing an AC
• <00:24:19.679> an<00:24:19.840> AC court in South Kalla replacing an AC court in South
• Kalla replacing an AC Chiller<00:24:20.520> on<00:24:20.679> kaii<00:24:21.559> and
• They'll be replaced with a total dollar value of possible judgments against the state that have not yet
• And then, on page three, lines 15 to 17, we replace that with the Attorney General's recommended action

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.