Transcript Highlights:

• I've asked the president each year, or every two years, if I can stay on this committee, and I've been
• First off, I appreciate your leadership here for the last seven years.
• It then also gives needed space up to the next five years.
• Testimony, Director Guthrie, known for several years.
• We have a suborbital launch site and test site in West Texas.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session, with members introducing themselves and expressing support for veterans, military families, first responders, space industry growth, and domestic security. The first presentation was from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and recovery efforts. Officials described response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including sheltering, meals, water, tarps, power restoration, flood control, debris removal, and public assistance funding. They emphasized that recovery is ongoing, that mitigation and resiliency investments are critical, and that Florida’s shelter space remains in deficit in many counties, especially for special needs populations. Senators asked about improving logistics capacity, technology for grant processing, HOA/private property debris issues, drainage and culvert maintenance, and ways to expand shelter capacity; the witness said more technology, better local coordination, and county-by-county planning would help, while noting limits on state authority over private property and county emergency manager qualifications. Committee members praised FDEM’s response and asked how the Legislature could help, including whether more logistical hubs, pumps, and flood-control equipment were needed. The witness said technology investments could reduce fatigue and improve grant and recovery processing, but that manpower would still be necessary. The committee also discussed the statewide emergency shelter plan, the use of schools as shelters, and the need to identify vacant commercial space and other facilities for future sheltering and special-needs needs. The witness said FDEM works with counties and commerce partners to identify available space and uses legislative funding for shelter retrofits and new construction when needed. The second presentation was from Blue Origin on its Florida operations. The company outlined its work in New Glenn, New Shepard, Blue Ring, lunar landers, and engine production, highlighting its Space Coast presence, more than 3,600 Florida employees, and over $3 billion invested in facilities. Blue Origin also described partnerships with Space Florida, public school Space Academies, internships, SkillBridge, and STEM outreach through Club for the Future. Members asked about the upcoming New Glenn launch window, which the company said was targeted for later that week, and the committee expressed interest in Blue Origin’s role in Florida’s space economy. The meeting ended with no further business and a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• after year.
• A lot of adults give up year after year, and you're not. So this is just incredible. Thank you.
• after year.
• A lot of adults give up year after year.
• teachers available than 5 years ago. teachers available than 5 years ago.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Finance be relieved of S. 154, an act relating to health insurance coverage for biomarker testing
• Committee on Finance be relieved of S. 154, an act relating to health insurance coverage for biomarker testing
• Test 3002 related to the collection of personally identifying information. Gulick and others.
• Test<00:11:04.480> 3002 Test 3002 Test 3002 related<00:11:06.800> to<00:11:07.360> the

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also implemented uh next year.
• The standards have been in place for years. I don't really see the need for changing this.
• The standards have been in place for<00:34:19.040> years.
• I don't really see the need for years.
• I mean, I don't chapter will take years.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date. SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii. The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a 9-year-old, and a 6-year-old.
• of trials for a number of years. of trials for a number of years.
• . year. year.
• The CEO of Ascentria makes $400,000 a year. IINE makes $300,000 a year.
• came here about 350 to 400 years ago. came here about 350 to 400 years ago.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:05.320> to we've worked on this for many years to we've worked on this for many years
• So,<00:16:13.200> last<00:16:13.640> year So, last year So, last year we<00:16:14.720><
• 15 years. 15 years.
• close two times in the last 3 years. close two times in the last 3 years.
• increased by over 3 in per year. increased by over 3 in per year.

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• That solid line, what the grid looked like years ago, and when I say years ago, I mean like 15 years
• So 15 years ago, that meant...
• ago. 15 years ago.
• then this last year it was 6%.
• , some of it's three years.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you only get a couple of years out of them, you know.
• So you only get a couple of years out of them, you know.
• Um definitely industry for 30 years.
• <00:26:54.559> we recollection is that, uh, last year we recollection is that, uh, last year
• Again, to in their in do a test audit.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Every three years, Gad has to change accountants if they choose to.
• The question comes for 250 years we... ...The question comes for 250 years we built houses in this country
• The builder has to pass the building code test to build houses.
• I have been struggling this year to find...
• I've been doing this for 24 years now.

Bills: HB324, HB252, SB80, HB241

Keywords: sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government, election, residential construction, architectural approval, engineering approval, home building, single family residences, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After a couple of years, the peak demand will have worn down and it'll be about your 50 a year.
• <01:02:38.799> and<01:02:38.960> years, legislature has for years and years, legislature
• You passed that last year. You passed that last year. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• there 20 years um over 20 years worked there 20 years um over 20 years as<02:35:55.439> a<02:
• to year.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and up to 7.8 million in fiscal year 29. and up to 7.8 million in fiscal year 29.
• million in fiscal year 2025. million in fiscal year 2025.
• They've gone back to the years.
• study of 10 years from birth to 10 years study of 10 years from birth to 10 years old,<01:56:06.960
• and years and have studied for years and years and have<02:54:44.640> worked<02:54:44.880>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The offender in our case was sentenced to 10 years at 100%, and he will have one year after release to
• This is tested policy.
• This is tested policy.
• ...last year, two years ago when the bill was first presented. Where's the opposition on this?
• It's come four years.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1135, Bentley and Mason’s Law, which would require a person convicted of killing a parent or parents while driving drunk or otherwise under the influence to pay ongoing child support-like maintenance to the victim’s children until age 18, or 21 if in college. The sponsor explained the bill is modeled on child support procedures, with the amount determined by the court based on the offender’s finances and the children’s needs, and with a one-year delay after release from prison before payments begin. He also said the bill was designed to avoid duplicate recovery if the family pursues a civil case against an insurance company, and members raised questions about penalties for nonpayment, whether health care or FAFSA would be affected, and whether the bill should be strengthened with more enforcement teeth. Public testimony was strongly supportive. A Tennessee mother, Brooke Stewart, described how her husband was killed by a drunk driver and how a court-awarded restitution order under Bentley’s Law is helping provide for her two daughters’ future education and needs. She said the offender had prior DUI-related arrests and that the law gave her family relief after a devastating loss. A representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving also supported the bill, said the measure is needed because Missouri families currently lack this protection, and urged the committee to pass it without amendment because the session was nearing its end. She noted the bill has been pursued for several years, has support from affected families, and is part of a broader effort to strengthen impaired-driving laws in Missouri. Committee members generally expressed sympathy and support, with several saying the bill was good policy and asking about implementation details rather than opposing the concept. The sponsor indicated he was open to offline discussions about possible strengthening amendments, but MADD asked that the bill not be changed at this stage. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on Senate Bill 1135 was closed without any vote or other action taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:17:39.240> I that we have lost in the past year, I that we have lost in the past year
• You can have religious tests for government. So, for example, I'm Jewish.
• Um why why are you long over 100 years.
• Because obviously, we have not all been treated equally all these years.
• molestation of his twin 6-year-old molestation of his twin 6-year-old daughters. daughters. daughters

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Several years ago, the U.S.
• guess it isn't normal for a 24-year-old guess it isn't normal for a 24-year-old to<00:56:41.640>
• Extending this reporting requirement another two years means two more years of an uninformed consumer
• another two years means two more years another two years means two more years of<01:15:02.560>
• We had whistleblowers at 3M and at the PCA 20 years ago, 23 years ago, before I got here.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve been in non-public education for many years—37 years, to be exact.
• I've been doing this for five years now after 24 years on the military side.
• years.
• ... ...are 18 years old.
• When we went back and looked at the data from years past, most... ...looked at the data from years past

Bills: SB140, HB102, SB133, SB34

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, violence prevention, conflict resolution, mediation, public education, high school graduation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I should say that was about $26,000 last fiscal year.
• We get forefeiter fees each year need.
• So the next section is fiscal year.
• So it seems that testing requirements.
• Uh, last year alone, our enrolled.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3635, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, and House File 3638, which would make several changes to teacher licensing and related agency operations. Dr. Yolena Bailey walked through the compact, explaining that it would let teachers move more easily among member states while preserving Minnesota’s authority over licensing, data, discipline, and rulemaking. She emphasized that the compact must be adopted without changes to be effective and that it would still require eligible teachers to hold a qualifying license, pass a state background check, and meet any compensation-related documentation requirements. Testifiers from school administrator groups and Western Governors University supported both bills. They said Minnesota’s teacher shortages, especially in special education, make it difficult to fill classrooms and often force districts to rely on substitutes or leave positions vacant. Supporters said the compact would speed licensing for qualified out-of-state teachers without lowering standards, and that the Tier 2 change in HF 3638 would help candidates enrolled in out-of-state teacher prep programs, including working adults and rural students, access Minnesota licensure pathways. WGU said the Tier 2 barrier affects its students and partnerships, including special education pipeline efforts and Teach For America collaborations. For HF 3638, Bailey described operational changes that would move the voluntary pair professional credential to MDE, allow a data-sharing agreement with the Board of School Administrators, let the agency use forfeiture fees for IT needs, update mental health training language and rulemaking, expand Tier 2 eligibility to some out-of-state teacher prep students, and extend the timeline for an online licensing system project by two years. Members asked whether the compact would add requirements for Minnesota educators or reduce licensure quality; Bailey and Representative Hill said it would not add classroom requirements and would mainly reduce paperwork while maintaining standards. The bills were laid over for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• be delivering to Texas in one year.
• It's not a calendar 5 years.
• It's once it fills up that starts a new 5 year treaty or a 5 year cycle, and so it has been filled up
• The new, the two new plants that were just put online in Georgia last year or the last couple years are
• Is it about a 10-year startup?

Transcript Highlights:

• As noted, the Peddoway results test held that the results test of Section 2 doesn't require jurisdictions
• This is my 23rd year of public service.
• This doesn't pass the smell test.
• been in office for nearly 30 straight years.
• Of this year? Of this year. OK.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's five years on the job is when you're diagnosed with cancer.
• After the five years, and then after in your retirement, it's five years after you retire that you're
• I know John Representative Moran has one in year two.
• the test and I think was 36 at the time.
• This is the second one in two years.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on several public safety-related bills, with testimony focused heavily on firefighter cancer presumptions, death benefits, and age-limit waivers for public safety appointments. Boston Firefighters Local 718 and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts testified in support of legislation tied to the late Boston firefighter Matt Troy, describing his service, his occupational cancer diagnosis, and the family’s ineligibility for benefits because his diagnosis fell just short of the statutory presumption period. Witnesses urged the committee to advance the bill so his widow could receive accidental death benefits and to address broader concerns about cancer risks, bunker gear, and early detection programs for firefighters. Committee members asked questions about how the diagnosis date affected eligibility and discussed the need for broader systemic changes rather than repeated home-rule petitions. Senator Nick Collins and Representative Dan Hunt both testified in support of the Troy-related bills, and the committee also heard that written testimony had been submitted by additional supporters. The committee also heard local home-rule petitions to extend the employment of fire chiefs in Rochester and Northfield. Representative Alan Silvia supported H. 4235 to allow Rochester Fire Chief Scott Wego to continue serving until age 70, citing his nearly 50 years of service and leadership in department improvements. A Northfield select board chair testified virtually in support of H. 4236 to keep Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dennell on the job, explaining that he has been central to building planning, volunteer recruitment, training documentation, and an organizational review as the town prepares for his eventual retirement. Both local bills were presented as measures to preserve continuity and support ongoing public safety planning in their communities. Another major topic was S. 2583, which would waive the maximum age requirement for Jonathan Lewis to be appointed to the Massachusetts State Police. Senator Collins described Lewis’s community service and strong exam score, and Lewis testified about his background in Dorchester, his prior interest in becoming a trooper, and his recent ranking on the eligibility list. Committee members expressed support and noted the importance of recruiting qualified candidates and diversifying the force. The committee also heard support for H. 4443, which would raise the maximum age for original appointment to firefighter or police officer positions, and members discussed related retirement and health-review issues that have arisen in prior home-rule cases. At the end of the hearing, no further witnesses came forward, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:17:40.800> ago mle C some years ago 15 plus years ago mle C some years ago 15 plus years
• years over 20 years and in the last 20 years over 20 years now<01:55:46.040> we've<01:55:46.280
• , excuse me, $36,952 a year.
• <02:27:30.439> after<02:27:30.760> year incidents year after year incidents year after
• What about the three-year moratorium? Uh, we're striking out the three-year moratorium.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.