Transcript Highlights:

• In order for that to happen, they need to see. the women in STEM, they need role models.
• And we talked about the Norwegian model and I said well the governor likes the Norwegian model, so I'm
• to the Norwegian model, which includes $8 $8 ready for work.
• the Norwegian model actually has a lot to offer for California.
• There's much we can learn from the Norwegian model.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Court, I believe, recently within the last week, ruled that we have to give that money back to those
• Second, we need clear rules of the road.
• This legislation is based on the National Conference of Insurance Legislators Model Act adopted last
• I'm proud to say ALFA played a key role in helping craft the model as a framework for sound consumer
• This legislation is based on the National Conference of Insurance Legislators Model Act adopted last

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several financial services bills, with the main focus on cryptocurrency kiosk regulation, financial literacy, and earned wage access. Legislators and witnesses described widespread crypto-related scams targeting older adults, often involving impersonation, urgency, spoofed phone numbers, and rapid transfers through kiosks that are difficult to trace or recover. Supporters of the kiosk bills said Massachusetts needs licensing, registration, transaction limits, warning notices, receipts, refund protections, and other safeguards; some also urged a “pause” or hold on transactions to give victims time to reconsider and allow law enforcement to intervene. The Attorney General’s office, AARP, local law enforcement, and several prosecutors and sheriffs backed the consumer-protection approach, while Bitcoin Depot supported a narrower regulatory framework but opposed low fee caps and strict daily limits, arguing they would function like a ban and reduce legitimate use. Witnesses from Waltham police, Middlesex and Essex County law enforcement, and the AG’s office said crypto scams are growing quickly, losses are often unrecoverable once funds move, and current tools are limited. They described cases involving elderly victims losing thousands of dollars, and said warnings alone are not enough because scammers keep victims on the phone and guide them through the process. Some witnesses said a temporary hold or refund mechanism has worked in at least one case, while others emphasized that transaction limits and visible disclosures could reduce harm even if they do not stop fraud entirely. The AG’s office also said it would submit written opposition to separate earned wage advance legislation, while DailyPay testified in support of that bill, saying earned wage access helps workers bridge short-term gaps without debt or credit reporting. The committee also heard support for mandatory financial literacy education from Representative Jim Hawkins, who said high school students need instruction on credit, debt, and inflation before they enter adulthood. In addition, the committee took testimony on litigation financing bills from insurance industry representatives, who argued for disclosure and regulation of predatory litigation lending and warned about foreign interference and reduced plaintiff recoveries. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; members asked questions throughout, and the chair noted the need to move testimony along because of time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, where is the federal rule? Is that ever going to be complete?
• These were draft rules by the Biden administration. And the Biden administration became no more.
• We don't expect good federal rules to come.
• You know, it avoids a PRO model, which I think would have been very burdensome.
• This tells us that we need a trust but verify model for recycled plastic in bottles, too.

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, adopted the consent calendar for SB 423 and SB 581, and then heard a series of bills, most of which were presented as streamlining or safety measures tied to transportation, climate, public lands, health care, and higher education. SB 71 by Senator Wiener would extend and expand a CEQA exemption for sustainable transportation projects, adding modes such as microtransit, paratransit, shuttles, and ferries, while also accepting committee amendments that narrowed a Tier 4 diesel rail provision, restored existing right-of-way language with utility protections, and set a new sunset date. Support came from transit agencies, local governments, and advocacy groups; some members raised concerns about the diesel rail language and possible interactions with housing-related legislation, but the bill advanced on a due pass vote as amended. The committee then heard SB 614 by Senator Stern on carbon dioxide pipeline safety. The bill would direct the State Fire Marshal to adopt safety standards for intrastate CO2 pipelines, building from federal draft rules and adding state discretion and possible enhanced protections such as planning zones and more detailed exposure modeling. Supporters argued California needs to fill a federal regulatory gap to advance carbon capture and climate goals, while environmental justice and conservation groups opposed unless amended, citing risks from CO2 leaks and asking for stronger siting restrictions and more specificity. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations, with members noting the need for continued work on the safety provisions. Senator Arreguín also presented SB 304, which would temporarily lift public trust use restrictions on specific land at Jack London Square to allow the Port of Oakland more leasing flexibility under conditions and annual reporting. The measure was described as a limited, time-bound effort to address high vacancy and revitalize the waterfront, and it drew support from Oakland city and county representatives with no opposition in the room. The committee then approved SB 304 on a due pass vote. Arreguín’s SB 830 followed, creating CEQA streamlining for Sutter Health’s new Emeryville hospital campus and designating the City of Emeryville as lead agency; supporters said it would preserve East Bay hospital access before seismic deadlines, and the bill passed with broad support and no opposition. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 486, a higher education planning bill intended to align UC and CSU enrollment growth with regional sustainable communities plans and to remove the need to analyze a no-project alternative in certain long-range development plans. Supporters said the bill would better integrate university enrollment forecasting into regional planning, while opponents warned that eliminating the no-project analysis could weaken accountability for housing and infrastructure impacts around campuses. Committee members expressed mixed views and asked for further clarification, but the bill was moved out on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The transcript then shifted to SB 629, a fire response and rebuilding bill, with the author describing amendments to apply fire safety requirements in wildfire-burned areas, update fire mapping, and require annual defensible space inspections, though the discussion was cut off before any final action was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, another thing that we work through is establishing licensing rules.
• Uh, another thing that we work through is establishing licensing rules.
• Uh, another thing that we work through is establishing licensing rules.
• to model after. to model after. Senator<00:48:43.480> Maye<00:48:43.640> Quade.
• Um I believe this is modeled question.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the only place it's in statute, unless you start looking at rules, the 300 rules.
• start looking at rules, the 300 rules. start looking at rules, the 300 rules.
• That's all in rule. Oh, okay. No, that's not in statute. That's in administrative rules.
• Administrative<00:17:32.080> rules. Administrative rules. Administrative rules.
• So I say there's a model there. years. So I say there's a model there.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• responds to concerns from all stakeholders, providing both transparency for consumers and a viable model
• Clarity Act, which is essentially a deregulatory regime for the crypto industry, which says we want rules
• , but what they really want to do is they want the rules as low or non-existent as possible.
• This essentially overrules them and says we’re going to change the rule so that we’re going to create
• who are committing those crimes, whereas we are not able to do that right now with current banking models

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• responds to concerns from all stakeholders, providing both transparency for consumers and a viable model
• Clarity Act, which is essentially a deregulatory regime for the crypto industry, which says we want rules
• , but what they really want to do is they want the rules as low or non-existent as possible.
• This essentially overrules them and says we're going to change the rule so that we're going to create
• the Assembly Member: ...crimes, whereas we are not able to do that right now with current banking models

Summary: The committee took up AB 2285, a bill related to cryptocurrency staking and broader crypto regulatory issues. The author said the amendments would give California clearer guidelines for staking-as-a-service, maintain consumer disclosures, and remove a fee cap to make the business model workable. Supporters, including representatives of the Crypto Council for Innovation and the Satoshi Action Fund, said the bill would provide needed clarity and help Californians participate in blockchain-related opportunities. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California and credit union representatives, who argued the bill would weaken consumer protections, create an uneven playing field for state-chartered institutions, and move California into the middle of unresolved federal debates over the Clarity Act. They also raised concerns about fraud, money laundering, and the effect of the bill on DFPI’s authority and pending litigation involving Coinbase. The author responded that staking is distinct from buying crypto, that blockchain can improve traceability, and that the bill was still a work in progress with room for further amendments. Members discussed preemption, the pending federal framework, and whether the bill should wait until federal law is settled. The chair emphasized California’s role in setting policy and said other states were allowing consumers to benefit from staking. The committee ultimately adopted a due pass as amended motion and sent AB 2285 out on a 7-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand pretty well the model of regulated utility rate-making. >> As I said, I can't be positive
• , right, because every state has its various rules and regulations, but that's a rough estimate of what
• of regulated utility rate well the model of regulated utility rate making<00:09:52.240> um<00
• <00:09:57.760> and<00:09:57.920> regulations,<00:09:58.399> but various rules
• and regulations, but various rules and regulations, but that's<00:09:58.800> a<00:09:58.880><

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules.
• Murphy, to me, one of the rules, or certainly if not a rule, certainly one of the principles is that
• Of course, the Oil Conservation Division rule on venting and flaring—I’m aware of that rule, and I'm
• We need to set that model and export it.
• Chair, Representative, in that rule that Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties cannot enforce electioneering rules on property they do not control.
• Counties cannot enforce electioneering rules on property they do not control.
• So we should probably reconsider that rule, but yeah. Okay, thank you very much, Senator.
• So we should probably reconsider that rule, but yeah. Okay, thank you very much, Senator.
• Precinct-based models have unintended consequences.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now when it comes to wholesalers, they don't have to abide by none of the rules and regulations that
• none of the rules and regulations that<00:05:49.600> we<00:05:49.760> go<00:05:49.960>
• <00:06:23.000> and Commission is to regulate the rules and Commission is to regulate the rules
• A lot of these are emerging models, too.
• A lot of these are emerging models, too.

Bills: HB586

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute is based on a blending of the model legislation prepared by the commission and
• And I understand they're under different rules in MedMal.
• For this, for PAs, they are under MedMal rules. Is that true or not? Thank you.
• It's going to be in the commissioner rules. So I would have to look at those.
• We heard this in rules, and I think that passed unanimously in rules as well.

Bills: HB10, HB12, HB34, SB130, SM21

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• today are required to be reported by January 28, 2026, subject to extensions consistent with House Rule
• At the discretion of the chairs and per committee rules, written testimony received by the committee
• Our modeling does not assume any additional savings or costs from two other potential effects.
• Our modeling does not assume any additional savings or costs from two other potential effects.
• To summarize, our modeling suggests that the three-tier model may allow Massachusetts to deliver the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on several health care bills focused primarily on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by outlining hearing procedures, testimony rules, and filing deadlines, and noted the hearing would be recorded and written testimony accepted. They said the day’s topics included affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable populations, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would add board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) as a recognized mid-level supervisory role in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field, actuaries, clinicians, and autism service providers testified that the current two-tier model limits workforce capacity, contributes to long delays, and leaves families waiting months for care. Supporters said the bill could expand access, improve retention, and potentially reduce MassHealth costs, while also helping providers meet growing demand and new administrative requirements. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow Massachusetts residents under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Legislators, dialysis advocates, and patients described high out-of-pocket costs under Medicare, barriers to kidney transplant eligibility without secondary insurance, and the financial strain on patients and families. Testifiers said the change would affect about 846 residents, could modestly increase premiums, and might reduce Medicaid spending by preventing asset spend-downs. Senator Gomez and others spoke from personal experience with dialysis and transplant care. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular data-driven review of MassHealth ABA reimbursement rates. Providers and association representatives argued that reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation, workforce shortages, accreditation costs, and new 2026 MassHealth policy requirements, and said the bills would improve transparency and ensure rates reflect the true cost of care. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs thanking participants, inviting additional written testimony, and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is a risk retention group model. The other is a captive model.
• a captive model. a captive model.
• also to make rules also to make rules and<00:37:44.400> it<00:37:44.640> also<00:37
• Chairman, I think you were very wise in preserving models, not taking models off the table, but ensuring
• Chairman, I think you were very wise in preserving models, not taking models off the table, but ensuring

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were talking about overrides, the 1925 court ruling regarding zoning.
• c><02:02:52.719> the<02:02:52.960> 1925<02:02:53.760> court<02:02:54.000> ruling
• about overrides the 1925 court ruling about overrides the 1925 court ruling regarding<02:02:54.960
• You can't just change the rules centers.
• You can't just change the rules and<06:29:22.160> expect<06:29:22.478> a<06:29:22.798><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were talking about overrides, the 1925 court ruling regarding zoning.
• c><02:02:52.719> the<02:02:52.960> 1925<02:02:53.760> court<02:02:54.000> ruling
• about overrides the 1925 court ruling about overrides the 1925 court ruling regarding<02:02:54.960
• You can't just change the rules and expect a flood of family daycare centers to suddenly open just because
• Representative Davis continued, "You can't just change the rules and expect a flood of family daycare

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you do some modeling when looking at the type of sidewalks, locations, various needs, ADA?
• So when you're looking at that with the revenue model, comparative, how much you can build, right?
• Those activities include defining eligible projects, Administrative rules.
• So, what you're actually referring to are the various different models under a P3. I'm a...
• I would say it felt to me like there's a lot of interest in looking at the P3 model.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All persons not entitled to privileges of the floor under the rules of the Senate will now vacate the
• Next order of business would be a meeting of the Rules Committee and Committee on Committees.
• He modeled persistence. He modeled persistence. He modeled moral clarity.
• He modeled a faith that required action.
• If he wishes to seek recognition, we'll suspend rules and return to him at the appropriate time.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee and House messages. The Families and Children’s Committee reported Senate Bill 191 favorably, and the House transmitted several passed bills requesting concurrence. New filings included Senate Bill 203 on community health workers and several resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Marie Childers, Military Kids Day, and Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. The chamber then considered and passed Senate Bill 141 on legal advertisements. The sponsor said the bill updates longstanding legal notice requirements to better balance public transparency with lower costs for cities and counties, reflecting an agreement among the Kentucky Press Association, Kentucky League of Cities, and Kentucky Association of Counties. The bill passed 36-1. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 69, creating an autism spectrum disorder trust fund to support services, research, and grants through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with an emergency clause; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 9, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, was also passed 35-2. The bill creates two local housing tools: a residential infrastructure development district to finance infrastructure for larger developments, and a housing development district to encourage new housing through negotiated incentive payments and expedited review. The sponsor said the measure is intended to address Kentucky’s housing shortage. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 102 honoring Marie Childers for decades of service on the Pike County Board of Elections, with remarks praising her bipartisan election work and influence in Pike County politics. Later, the Rules Committee recommitted Senate Bill 125 to Appropriations and Revenue, and the Committee on Committees referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees or to the floor. Announcements were made about upcoming committee meetings, and the Senate took up Senate Resolution 104 honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., with remarks describing his national and international civil rights legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a partnership model that works.
• This is partnership a model that works.
• Notably, neither ruled against this concept.
• to that of a licensed daycare model, which operates under Bulletin 137.
• These are not unnecessary rules.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 206, which would require cardiovascular pre-screening and blood pressure testing for student athletes beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Chairman Miller said the bill was prompted by concerns about undiagnosed hypertension and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, and Coach Marcus Scott testified about his own kidney transplant after years of untreated high blood pressure. Members asked about who would perform the screenings and how follow-up would work; the American Heart Association said existing athletic physical processes and referral networks could handle it. An amendment was adopted, and the committee reported SB 206 favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 305, which would require a publicly available statewide career-alignment dashboard showing how degree programs connect to workforce outcomes, including completion, employment, wages, and high-demand jobs. Chairman Edmonds and student task force member Cruz Cassard said the goal was to help students understand job opportunities in Louisiana and reduce the number leaving the state after graduation. Workforce and higher education stakeholders supported the measure as a transparency and workforce-planning tool. The committee reported SB 305 favorably. Next, the committee considered HB 624, a school safety cleanup bill updating references from crisis management plans to emergency operations plans and aligning school emergency language with national standards. Representative Johnson and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools said the bill would not create new mandates or costs, but would clarify existing requirements. The committee reported HB 624 favorably. The committee then heard HB 1022, as substituted, concerning school-based health care services. Representative Jackson said the bill was intended to clarify that medical decisions in school-based health centers should be made by licensed health professionals, not school staff, while preserving parental consent. Testimony from school-based health center providers supported the bill, but several members raised concerns about consent, parental authority, and whether the language shifted too much responsibility away from schools; the Charter School Association suggested adding more collaborative language. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 1022 favorably by a 10-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:37.440> and research on groundwater modeling and research on groundwater modeling and
• water supply to implement their rules water supply to implement their rules and<00:30:32.720>
• <00:51:18.079> that and follow follow the other rules that and follow follow the other rules
• difficult to just to enforce the rules difficult to just to enforce the rules of<00:53:12.240>
• I just still mostly enforce the rules.

Bills: HB2241, HB2316, HB1566, HB1926, HB1673, HB1948, HB2602, HB1598, HB2334, HB2451, HB2243

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, lead materials, drinking water, public health, water infrastructure, safety regulations, HB1566, energy efficiency, LED lighting, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps, CFL ban, mercury-free lighting

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a bill to expand the solar energy tax credit for single-family residential properties by removing certain cap amounts and raising the adjusted gross income limits for taxpayers to elect a refund of excess credits. The Hawaii State Energy Office and Department of Taxation both said they were standing on written testimony, while industry and advocacy groups largely supported the measure. Members questioned whether the income thresholds were set appropriately, how many taxpayers would be affected at different income levels, and how many would qualify for refundable treatment; Taxation said it did not yet have the requested numbers but was preparing a fiscal estimate. A major issue raised was drafting and administration: witnesses said the bill appears to apply differently to owner-purchased systems versus third-party leased systems, and Taxation said it likely could not easily verify household income for leased systems or cross-reference different taxpayers. Discussion also covered whether the credit should remain refundable, whether credits should be limited to amounts actually expended, and whether the bill should instead be structured to keep the credit with the system owner or lessor, with concerns about equity, market effects, and possible incentives to lease rather than buy. The committee then moved to HB 2316, which would align state restrictions on lead materials in drinking water infrastructure with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The Department of Health and other supporters testified in favor, and there were no questions from the chair. Next, HB 1566 on energy efficiency would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting, with the Hawaii State Energy Office providing technical assistance and a compliance survey prioritized for first responder facilities; testimony from state agencies and advocates was in support, and again there were no questions. For HB 1926 on Red Hill, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of Water Supply, and multiple organizations and individuals supported funding for remediation studies, environmental monitoring, groundwater research, independent testing, and a public dashboard, with DLNR emphasizing that decades of work remain necessary even after defueling and that the bill supports ongoing university and community partnerships. The committee then heard HB 1673 on landfill units. The Department of Health initially said it was in support but later corrected the record and stated it strongly opposes the measure, saying the bill would undo protections enacted last session that keep landfills out of areas over aquifers; the Board of Water Supply also opposed repeal of those protections, while the City and County of Honolulu supported the HD1 version that leaves siting decisions to the counties. Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi and the Energy Justice Network opposed the bill, arguing the original protections should remain and that the amended version had confused commenters; supporters of the original version urged restoring it and considering additional language on ash.