Transcript Highlights:

• Through private attorneys on contract with us, and that is on conflict cases, meaning in places where
• Chair, Representative Reed, uh, I, I discussed very briefly the private attorneys on contract with us
• And then they'll submit to the head of our contract counsel services.
• And I, I did that constitutional amendment, um. For a coup couple of reasons in particular.
• What is that, what is a public defender contract for a misdemeanor domestic violence?

Transcript Highlights:

• > for<00:29:02.080> clarity, technical amendments needed for clarity, technical amendments
• I'd also like to delete section 9 as it's written now to make amending and conforming amendments to make
• <00:30:15.279> section Um, I'd like to amend section Um, I'd like to amend section 291E-41
• amending and conforming amendments<00:30:53.279> to<00:30:53.760> make<00:30:54.000>
• necessary to amend the resolution. necessary to amend the resolution.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 20, 2025, first on two bills and then on a series of resolutions. On SB 597, relating to administrative driver’s license revocation, the Department of the Attorney General and other agencies supported extending the deadlines for written review decisions because chemical testing results, especially from neighbor islands, can take longer to return. One individual testified in opposition. The committee amended the bill to set the review-decision deadlines at 14 and 28 days, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and recommended passage with amendments by vote. The committee then heard SB 1285 SD2, a highway safety measure that would create an impaired-driving offense, establish automatic license suspension procedures, and amend related administrative processes. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the new infraction structure and recommended deleting that section, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create due process problems and unnecessary burdens on the courts. DOT and several advocacy groups supported the measure, and one individual testified in support of lowering the BAC limit to 0.05. The committee adopted extensive amendments, including deleting several sections, revising revocation language for refusals to test, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 3000, then passed the bill with amendments. In the later resolution hearing, the committee heard measures on Maui road projects, the Kulani Hako Bridge replacement, enforcement against improperly registered out-of-state vehicles, a proposed extension of the Skyline rail to West Oahu, a proposal to transfer airport regulatory authority to DOT, a golf-ball safety resolution, and a restricted parking pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods. Testimony was generally supportive on the Maui road, bridge, vehicle-registration, and golf-ball measures, while DOT opposed the airport-corporation task force resolution and several groups offered mixed views, including calls for public-sector union representation if a task force were created. The committee also heard support and concern on the Skyline extension resolution, with members noting the need for transit options that better serve West Oahu. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the resolutions it took up in decision-making, including the Maui road measures, the bridge resolution, the vehicle-registration resolution, and the Skyline-related resolution, with the airport-corporation and parking-zone measures also heard before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, I would like to make a motion to amend that to $10,000, if that be...? Okay.
• So when we decide on our tax bill, then we would amend it at that time to increase it.
• However, the amended language was not included in the omnibus tax bill.
• I'm not going to make a motion or anything to amend it.
• I'm not going to make a motion or anything to amend it.

Bills: SB12, SB13

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, tax deduction, gross receipts, coinsurance, managed care, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• controls oversight and contract controls oversight and contract compliance. compliance. compliance
• <00:24:28.400> to expertise by funding a contract to expertise by funding a contract to conduct
• existing The proposal also amends existing The proposal also amends existing obligations<00:43
• place to make sure that those contracts place to make sure that those contracts are<01:25:30.400
• and the the oversight of those contracts and the the oversight of those<01:26:01.440> contracts

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There is some willingness to make an amendment on the provision that the House suggests that the amendment
• I am here to oppose this bill and these amendments.
• I am here to oppose this bill and these amendments.
• bill and these amendments bill and these amendments um<00:37:58.640> this<00:37:58.760>
• <01:43:20.840> I'm members based on that Amendment I'm members based on that Amendment I'm

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Elementary with a contract of the Executive Office on Early Learning.
• > amendment<01:38:55.080> was longer necessary their amendment was longer necessary their
• 620 and um the revised the amended 620 and um the revised the amended version<01:44:09.199> would
• We received your proposed amendments. Thank you so much for that.
• <02:02:38.119> thank received your proposed amendments thank received your proposed amendments

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand you have a one amendment for reference.
• Can you explain the A-1 amendment and then proceed to your presentation? Presentation. Yes.
• The A-1 amendment adds in American Indian tribal contract schools into House File 3220. Thank you.
• We've also issued another contract for $25,000 to ensure that we have the fencing there for at least
• That's the cost that we, as a state under state contract, incur.

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know we have an amendment. Do you want to take that amendment up at this time? Aye. Wingard?
• Yes, I'd like to take that amendment up at this time.
• Clerk, if you would, go ahead and read the amendment. Mr.
• That includes an explanation of the amendment. Do pass from the chair on the amendment?
• In terms of negative or opposition to this amendment, no.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition

Summary: The Public Safety Committee first considered several gubernatorial nominations. Brent Black of Bixby was renominated to the Forensic Review Board, with Senator Guthrie noting the board’s seven-member makeup and the need for mental health professionals; the nomination was advanced 8-0. Lou Ann Moody of Henrietta was then presented for the Forensic Review Board. Moody described her long legal career, her work as city attorney and in juvenile/dependency matters, and her decision to avoid criminal defense work to avoid ethical conflicts. Members asked about the board’s caseload and meeting schedule, and the nomination was advanced 8-0. The committee also heard the nomination of a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, Mr. McCoy, to the OSBI Commission. He emphasized his decades of law enforcement and emergency-management experience, and the nomination was advanced 8-0. The committee then took up House Bill 3045, with an amendment offered by Senator Reinhart. The amendment would allow certain fire departments, rural fire districts, and fire protection districts in municipalities under 200,000 population to recover accident response fees, while preventing those fees from going into general revenue or funding non-fire services. Reinhart explained the bill was intended to address fire departments’ ability to recover costs while limiting the impact on the state’s two largest cities. Senator Brooks questioned why the exemption would apply only to the largest municipalities, and Reinhart responded that Tulsa and Oklahoma City would see the greatest fiscal impact and that rural departments lacked comparable revenue sources. Senator Murdoch raised a point that the bill had an unescorted fiscal impact on municipalities and asked for a ruling under the Municipal Fiscal Impact Act. The chair took the matter under advisement and, at the sponsor’s request, laid the bill over rather than proceeding further. The meeting concluded with members offering extended personal remarks thanking the chair and vice chair for their leadership and service, and the chair adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contracted out, like USIC or State Center and others.
• Do they want it delivered directly to the contract locator?
• the contract with a Railroad Commission-approved well plugger to plug an orphan well.
• They can enter into a contract without assuming long-term legal liability.
• So, if the bill were to be adopted, we would recommend that it should be amended.

Bills: HB2766, HB2891, HB3334, HB3791, HB3911, HB4021, HB4041, HB4042, HB4384, HB4426

Keywords: inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as such, we found that a contract is necessary for us to implement the legislation.
• opportunity to be here today to present the item, which is specifically trailer bill language that amends
• Government Code Section 8310.4, which was amended last year with the enactment of AB 91.
• Once VoteCal is modified, the SOS must contract with the election management system vendors to integrate
• Modifications and new ongoing administrative workloads without our opportunity to amend our previously

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• believe you have an amendment for that. believe you have an amendment for that.
• Bill 26 as amended? Bill 26 as amended?
• 26 as amended. Representative Banks. 26 as amended. Representative Banks.
• with the amendments. with the amendments.
• amendments? amendments? >> Mr.<01:04:27.119> Mr.

Bills: HB0026, HB0042, HB0067, HB0069

Keywords: tribal governments, vehicle registration, exemption, license plates, Wind River Indian Reservation, vehicle, accident, duty to stop, felony, personal injury, death, veterans property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, military tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, active duty, reserve members, surviving spouse, surviving parent

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendments would gut and amend my bill and take over ownership.
• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted.
• opposed unless amended.
• I did amend the bill, much to many people who we know need it the most, we did amend the bill.
• these five languages if the contract was negotiated in one of them.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by uh otpa on House Bill 193 as amended by uh Amendment 00h<00:21:39.520> and<00:21:40.039>
• change the change that the amendment change the change that the amendment makes<00:35:15.359>
• The amendment passed 18-0.
• being amended is OTPA 0168.
• and the amendment which we're amending<01:03:36.200> otpa<01:03:37.200> is amending otpa

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason it's contracted is because they get paid in 30 days.
• In and out, um, had discussed some constitutional amendments, um, and...
• A willing seller, and they end up with a contract, okay?
• They get paid their contracted rate and then that lien gets filed.
• It's a constitutional amendment from 2003 and it.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to you as amended. to you as amended.
• report as amended? report as amended?
• First Amendment, Second Amendment, Fourth Amendment from search and seizure, and so forth, to be trampled
• has contracted if the school contracts has contracted if the school contracts with<00:38:09.520>
• a favor report as amended. a favor report as amended.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I see you have an amendment.
• The amendment passes. Would you explain your bill, please? >> So move, Mr.
• The amendment passes. Would you explain your bill, please? >> Yes.
• Vice Chair Dotseth, to my bill as amended.
• of Judiciary and amended to Committee of Judiciary and Civil<00:22:29.520> Law.

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...with County Behavioral Health, they would contract with us because our rates were higher.
• And so now all of my CBOs that contract with me for mental health services are also mild to moderate
• I know it's from the interest of the Assemblymember here as well, things like contract costs, copies
• We had a contract actually for many years before the whole 988 mobile crisis thing.
• Your agenda lays out the amendments that counties are asking for, so I won't go through those.

Summary: The hearing focused first on behavioral health, especially serious mental illness and anosognosia, a condition described by witnesses as a neurological symptom that prevents people from recognizing they are ill. The chair framed the issue around families cycling through emergency rooms, jails, conservatorships, and short-term stabilization without lasting treatment, and warned that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce Medi-Cal funding and worsen access. Dawn Marie Anderson gave a personal account of her son’s long history of psychosis, homelessness, arrests, repeated jail and state hospital stays, and eventual stability when he received sustained medication and coordinated support. She argued that the system often treats the problem as criminal rather than medical and that voluntary programs and short-term services are not enough for people who lack insight into their illness. Other panelists, including representatives from the California Behavioral Health Association, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, agreed that anosognosia is not denial or noncompliance and said the system needs long-term, coordinated care, including assertive community treatment, mobile crisis, supportive housing, medication support, and stronger handoffs between county and managed care systems. They said CalAIM and other reforms have improved some coordination, but significant gaps remain, especially for people with serious mental illness, for those in jail or locked settings, and for people with private insurance, which witnesses said often offers little meaningful coverage for early psychosis or intensive behavioral health services. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to protect Medi-Cal, shore up county safety-net services, and invest in training and family engagement. The committee then turned to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, with a focus on the virtual services platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna and the CYBHI fee schedule. DHCS reported strong growth in app registrations, coaching sessions, referrals, and positive user outcomes, saying the platforms provide free, culturally responsive, early-intervention support statewide and help connect users to higher levels of care when needed. On the fee schedule, DHCS said more than 500 LEAs, colleges, universities, and school-linked providers are participating, 181 LEAs have submitted claims, and $9.6 million has been reimbursed to date, with 41,556 students represented in claims. The chair and several members criticized the pace of implementation and the amount of money spent relative to reimbursement levels, saying the Legislature had requested data earlier and that the return on investment still appeared low. DHCS responded that many claims are still being submitted, that 70% of denials are correctable, that $400 million in capacity grants has been distributed locally, and that reimbursement is increasing rapidly as more districts come online. Public comment included a rural county behavioral health director who said private insurance denials leave counties with significant uncompensated work, especially for unlicensed staff providing case management and mobile crisis services.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can just pass around an amendment and say that you plan on offering an amendment, but this emailing
• So if you email the committee an amendment, that's perfectly fine, but do not discuss content over email
• and say that you around an amendment and say that you plan<00:07:13.720> on<00:07:13.919>
• > um plan on offering an amendment but um plan on offering an amendment but um this<00:07:16.520
• an amendment that's that's perfectly<00:07:22.879> fine<00:07:23.120> but<00:07:23.240

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the amendment. House Amendment 652343. And explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
• Please read the amendment. House Amendment 652343. And explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
• In House Amendment Barcode 696-291 as amended by the Senate Amendment Barcode 899-512.
• In House Amendment Barcode 69-291 as amended by the Senate Amendment Barcode 899-512.
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• An amendment in the nature of a...
• The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment
• I will offer an amendment to the rule to make in order Amendment 233 by Leader Jeffries that would cause
• I WILL OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO THE RULE TO MAKE IN ORDER AMENDMENT 233 BY LEADER JEFFRIES THAT WOULD CAUSE
• However, my amendment was blocked along with five other commonsense amendments.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all