Transcript Highlights:

• as reviews criminal code to make sure that chapter 245C matches federal code and criminal code.
• <01:06:41.280> 245 staff routinely reviews uh chapter 245 staff routinely reviews uh chapter
• of changes in 245D to uh align chapter of changes in 245D to uh align chapter 245D<01:12:54.800>
• Uh, language was added in chapter 15, 15.013 related to the state agency's ability to stop payment.
• services that's in the Medicaid chapter services that's in the Medicaid chapter in<01:36:10.000>

Bills: HF3935, HF2216, HF4354, HF4210, HF4212

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services

Transcript Highlights:

• point we are considering giving tax point we are considering giving tax state<00:58:51.720> tax
• to<01:02:08.400> local sales tax taxes not available to local sales tax taxes not available
• We're a coalition of labor and grassroots organizations dedicated to a fair tax code and a state budget
• <01:14:36.520> budget<01:14:37.080> uh fair tax code and a state budget uh fair tax
• are tax incentives.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a parent is paying taxes, their tax money is going to help educate our kids, Mr.
• So first up is New Mexico Administrative Code 6.30. 15, which is community school requirements.
• Chapter 81 clarifying that the implementation grant awards do not have to be specifically $150,000.
• This section, of the Executive Code is to reflect changes made during this past legislative session.
• Code.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barrow said, when workers are dispatched to our job sites, we cannot send them back based on the zip code
• said, when workers are dispatched to our job sites, we cannot send them back based on the zip codes
• Melanie Perrin, on behalf of the Associated General Contractors California chapters, in opposition.
• Melanie Perrin on behalf the Associated General Contractors California chapters in opposition.
• can have a middle-class career by building and investing in their own communities through our public tax

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Daniel, you're recognized. sales tax.
• if you paid $500, you paid sales tax; $501, you paid no sales tax.
• Which means that it is taxed at the highest capital gains tax rate.
• at the highest tax rate, capital gains tax rate.
• This chapter is invoking tax jurisdiction. We are a regulatory agency.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• every session as he would talk about the debates and the issues going on like where we are today on tax
• , eliminate property tax, go back to a sales tax.
• If we all pay the same price for milk, it's the biggest regressive tax on your people."
• Members, this brings clarity and consistency to our property tax code by exempting essential farm inputs
• Craddick: of fees and refunds under Chapter 1006 of the Transportation Code.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section four directs the revisor to codify a new chapter of statutes relating to education innovation
• and also codifies the innovation zone session law in the new chapter. authorized to approve or deny
• of statutes relating to chapter of statutes relating to education<00:20:41.440> innovation<00
• county auditor to certify by February 1st to the commissioner of education the amount of any excess tax
• amount of commissioner of education the amount of any<00:26:47.440> excess<00:26:47.919> tax

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this chapter, exclusively by this chapter, and therefore would be exempt from the fees that Uber and
• Secondly, AVs have multiple cameras and... ...chapter 159 and a half.
• First, intentional law breaking written into the code.
• What's the real cost to the state in lost income tax, sales tax, and business revenue?
• Owen's question, I did take a brief look at Chapter 159A and a half.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Types of uses and other land use codes or statutes such as state building and fire codes, local driveway
• It's not defined in the ATC chapter because it's simply for therapeutic use.
• It's not defined in the ATC chapter because it's simply for therapeutic use.
• It's not defined in the ATC chapter because it's simply for therapeutic use.
• It's not defined in the ATC chapter because it's simply for therapeutic use.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Tax Foundation of Hawaii is on Zoom with comments. The Tax Foundation stands on its comments.
• > Hawaii<00:13:17.600> with Uh Tax Foundation of Hawaii with Uh Tax Foundation of Hawaii
• , Chapters 326 and 327.
• cancel that adopting the go tax cancel that adopting the go tax recommendations<01:22:43.760>
• tax collections. tax collections. >> Great.<01:42:20.960> Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• wastewater utilities, and drive housing costs down so that it isn't front loaded but it is paid by a tax
• That occurs meets the code requirements and those sorts of things, but in some areas when those delays
• Bill Longley: My recollection is if you were to dig into 212 of the local government code, and I can
• But to your point, I mean, if there are things within Chapter 212 where you can modify that and have
• is a pretty good example of a city that just recently had a comprehensive rewrite of their zoning code

Transcript Highlights:

• producing thousands of jobs and commercial activity, in addition to generating millions of dollars in state tax
• wastewater utilities, and drive housing costs down so that it isn't front-loaded, but rather paid as a tax
• Sure, my recollection is if you were to dig into Section 212 of the Local Government Code, and I can
• But to your point, I mean, if there are things within Chapter 212 where you can... ...modify that and
• a pretty good example of a city that just recently had a comprehensive rewrite. ...of their zoning code

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:19:33.880> which<00:19:34.679> are<00:19:34.800> very employment taxes,
• that we depend on to run our taxes that we depend on to run our state.<00:19:57.520> Thank<00
• And there are other laws that we have, like Chapter 104 prevailing wages, where at the end of the day
• <00:30:05.120> is psychology that our current chapter is psychology that our current chapter
• The zip code level. We equip our counties and our communities with the data so they live there.

Bills: HB2614, HB1660, HB1704, HB1563, HB1573, HB1777, HB1749

Keywords: cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hernandez, I am the State Representative for New Mexico House District 4, representing nine Navajo chapter
• Holding that item until the nation or the chapter house or whoever wants to take it is in a position
• public good. are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under IRS law.
• We do not provide tax-deductible appraisals.
• Then you are able to deduct that from your taxes. Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code.
• Code.
• The proposed rules were prepared to implement changes made to North Dakota Century Code Chapter 38-12
• We proposed a new chapter of North Dakota Administrative Code.
• The administrative rules in Chapter 99.1-3 of the North Dakota Administrative Code are adopted by the

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many provisions in this bill code.
• Currently, this section of law cites to a very specific subparagraph of federal code.
• <01:05:11.599> MDE subp paragraph of federal code. MDE subp paragraph of federal code.
• <01:05:17.280> of to comply with the full chapter of to comply with the full chapter of federal
• This proposed change adds a submission due date of February 1st to the excess tax increment statute.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.
• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.
• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.
• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.
• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Building Code, the International Residential Code, uh, our plumbing code, our electrical code, our fire
• Building Code, the International Residential Code, uh, our plumbing code, our electrical code, our fire
• Building Code, the International Residential Code, uh, our plumbing code, our electrical code, our fire
• Building Code, the International Residential Code, uh, our plumbing code, our electrical code, our fire
• Building Code, the International Residential Code, uh, our plumbing code, our electrical code, our fire

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires that home inspectors will be required to report failure to comply to the local code
• They evade taxes while legal gambling facilities contribute millions to education.
• 546 or Chapter 849.
• So this is a tax shift to all taxpayers.
• So this is a tax shift to all taxpayers.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• is taxed under the gravel tax earth that is taxed under the gravel tax is<01:12:41.280> exempt
• of the timber tax and the excavation tax of the timber tax and the excavation tax is<01:18:27.199
• total tax levy. total tax levy.
• gravel tax. gravel tax.
• taxed, who pays the tax? taxed, who pays the tax?

Keywords: 1189, house, all