Transcript Highlights:

• was to consolidate the land so that schools could operate more efficiently for the benefit of the students
• , for the benefit of the students, for the benefit of the students, teachers,<00:07:21.960> and
• <00:07:51.880> Whereas, safety of students and faculty.
• Whereas, safety of students and faculty.
• <01:12:42.400> And<01:12:42.560> so forensics testing. And so forensics testing.

Bills: SB2613, SB2543, SB2398, SB2046, SB2800, SB2818, SB2973, SB2367, SB2907, SB3067, SB3053, SB2944, SB2074, SB2596

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2613, SD1, HD1, relating to public school land transfer. The Attorney General’s office and the Department of Education supported the bill’s technical cleanup of Act 307, but strongly opposed a new provision that would convey school parcels containing public and school library facilities to the Hawaii State Public Library System. They argued the added transfer language conflicted with Act 307’s purpose of consolidating school land for more efficient school operations, and said existing law already allows co-located library use through rights of entry, licenses, or other agreements. The library system supported the bill and said it was trying to resolve longstanding operational conflicts on shared school-campus libraries, especially where public access, construction, and campus safety issues arise. Members questioned whether the Board of Education should simply mediate the dispute, whether the bill was the right solution, and whether a formal memorandum of agreement might be a better approach than a land transfer. The library system described years of difficulty coordinating with DOE on projects and said it needed a clearer process to complete work and spend CIP funds. Discussion also touched on a Kauai parcel in the bill, identified as a tennis court, and whether resurfacing could be completed before any transfer. The Attorney General indicated that if the goal is to preserve library uses while keeping title with the state, DLNR or another documented arrangement may be more appropriate than transferring fee title to the library system. The committee then heard SB 2543 SD2 HD1, relating to state construction projects. DAGS supported the measure, and the Hawaii Ironworkers Stabilization Fund and Hawaii Building Construction Trade Council strongly supported it, saying the bill would help spot-check high-cost projects and reduce waste from overruns and delays. One testifier opposed the bill, arguing the proposed construction manager role was too limited and that DAGS needed more training, decentralized authority, and better internal decision-making rather than a new layer of oversight. Supporters said the bill was intended as a pilot program to address repeated cost overruns and improve accountability on state construction projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• It codifies federal protection for English learners, immigrant students, and students with disabilities
• She's a student from my district.
• that both the students' IEP and English language needs are met by the schools.
• and important to the parents of that student.
• and important to the parents of that student.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first debated and advanced Senate Bill 2561, an act to promote student learning and mental health, centered on a statewide bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phone use in schools. Supporters argued the bill would reduce distraction, improve academic performance and mental health, and encourage social interaction, while preserving flexibility for districts and exceptions for emergencies, special education, health needs, and instructional uses. Several senators emphasized local control and the need for public input, and a number of amendments were considered: some were withdrawn, some were rejected, and others were adopted, including an amendment requiring consistent and necessary exceptions and another requiring public hearings and local public input. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 38-2. The Senate also took up a conference committee report on a $259 million FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The report funded EMS costs, home care, the Healthy Incentives Program, DTA chip card technology, veterans benefits, the state police crime lab, the SSI state supplement, the Fair Housing Fund, and the National Guard, and included major indigent defense provisions: $40 million for 320 new CPCS staff attorneys, rate increases for private bar advocates, guardrails to reduce future work stoppages, and an independent review of the indigent defense system. Senators questioned the timing of the report, the inclusion of items not previously voted on by either branch, and the funding sources, including use of the transitional escrow fund and excess revenues. The report was accepted, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the supplemental budget was enacted. In addition, the Senate passed other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District and a municipal roads and bridges financing bill, both by roll call vote. The chamber also enacted a health care protections bill, and it concurred in referrals on a governor’s municipal empowerment legislation. The session included a brief memorial tribute and adjournment in memory of Harry C. Christensen.

Transcript Highlights:

• tested for a long time.
• It's already time-tested and approved.
• It's already time-t tested necessary. It's already time-t tested and<01:13:38.000> approved.
• And students and educators in every state have joined the first lady's efforts in the presidential AI
• And students and educators in every And students and educators in every state<01:44:32.400> have

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a master of social work student.
• Stand on<00:42:54.400> our<00:42:54.560> test.
• Mike Lambert, on our test. Thank you.
• <00:45:04.960> at Mapana and I am a social work student at Mapana and I am a social work student
• when EPA has specified that their test when EPA has specified that their test saying<01:03:09.680

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was just for students who students.
• EFA student to participate. EFA student to participate.
• test out this new model. test out this new model.
• And our students do that. And our students do that.
• students students and<01:23:49.040> the<01:23:49.120> taxpayers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:31.600> of<00:30:31.760> time, know, we kind of stand the test of time, know
• , we kind of stand the test of time, these<00:30:32.960> agreements<00:30:33.440> with<
• And then also a survey of HR executives, students, and internal talent within the Commonwealth.
• We also heard from your students that 96% of Kentucky college and university students would like to stay
• > University<00:45:06.079> students<00:45:06.480> would College and University students

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met with leaders of the First Frontier Appalachian Trail System for an update on trail development, economic impact, and funding needs. Speakers said the system has expanded from 18 to 21 counties over the past year, with interest from additional counties, about 450 miles of trails currently open, and a goal of surpassing 1,000 miles within two years. They described the project as primarily an economic development effort that is already drawing public and private investment, supporting lodging and campground businesses, and creating new enterprises such as guide services, repairs, and recovery services for ATVs. The presentation highlighted permit sales, which began on a soft-launch basis earlier in the year and are now available both physically and online. Permits cost $25 per year for in-state residents and allow riding on First Frontier trails. Officials also discussed landowner agreements, saying the standard license agreement is modeled on Hatfield-McCoy, is favorable to landowners, and can be ended with 60 days’ notice. They said the agreements, along with patrols and cleanup efforts, help address trespassing and illegal dumping while encouraging property owners to participate. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Captain Jason Sloan reported 638 hours of patrols under the memorandum of agreement since January 1 and said the partnership has focused on safety, enforcement of existing laws, emergency planning, and cleanup support. The group also cited partnerships with the National Forest, Onyx Off-Road, ARC, and Yamaha, and said a Jeep Jamboree in Lee County drew 237 registered participants, mostly from out of state. They said a GNCC race in Knox County is being pursued for spring. The authority requested $3.5 million for the next two-year budget cycle and said it needs additional staffing, including two full-time trail development coordinators and part-time office help, to keep up with growth. Members praised the project’s progress and its potential to boost tourism and regional economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• How many students are homeschooled? We have that.
• . students that are enrolled in the public schools also available to other students in that same geography
• Payers pay it for the purpose of educating students, right?
• Let's say you had student before special education, you have that student now they're in special education
• to $2,000. $20,000 per student.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was an A student.
• university, but as I was growing up, I didn't know anything about voting, even though I was an A student
• our state song, "Texas, our Texas," so wonderful, so great, boldest and grandest, withstanding every test
• We must withstand this test. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I appreciate it.
• I'm currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin, but I've lived in Frisco, a suburb of Dallas

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These students have earned $2.8 million.
• These are high school kids participating in a college-level curriculum for high school students.
• And these students, we took 35 of them to Japan last year for an agricultural study abroad.
• Those students in high school are working on those problems together and collectively.
• So I know the impact that it has on rural students, but also students in the city as well.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the high school students are asking what the high school students are asking for<00:30:25.919> plant-based
• <00:36:43.280> grow through to help our students grow through to help our students grow healthy
• Students looked forward to the lunch hour.
• <00:55:19.000> health stakeholders to protect student health stakeholders to protect student
• the responsibility to protect students the responsibility to protect students and<01:00:56.640><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The base student allocation, or BSA, increases by $129.11 and the funds per student increase by $247.60
• school officer; 1,001 to 2,000 students would equal two officers; 2,001 to 3,000 students would equal
• You'll see a comparable increase in funds per student for a scholarship student in that district.
• to decrease by 33,625 students.
• public school student choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• The students learned about tools such as the open meeting law, public hearings, and how to engage in
• Hello, my name is Alex Zuyf, and I'm representing the graduated students of the ULEAD program 2022.
• I'm a student in the United States living in Minnesota under United for Ukraine humanitarian parole.
• And so I'll pass the mic to um my test And so I'll pass the mic to um my test starting<00:52:30.079
• <01:53:06.159> for the cost of a blood test for the cost of a blood test for microplastics

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The dark blue is adult students.
• We were able to increase student count by 10,000 students in career tech.
• Have shop classes for every student.
• students.
• paying 1.5 times per student.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Supreme Court in setting this test the Supreme Court in setting this test which<00:45:58.720
• <00:46:00.000> from which is known as the Miller test from which is known as the Miller test
• in your school and we also kn students in your school and we also kn know<00:48:09.520> that<
• <01:08:53.679> athletes<01:08:53.920> and one of my student athletes and one of my
• student athletes and apparently<01:08:54.480> enough<01:08:55.040> other<01:08:55.359><

Bills: HF357, HF3389, HF1434, HF2500, HF1606

Keywords: HF357, hasenpfeffer, card games, social skill game, Minnesota gambling law, tournament, contest, prize limit, low-stakes gaming, card game exemption, gambling exemption, cribbage, bridge, euchre, pinochle, Texas hold'em, whist, skat, sheepshead, gin

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:50.960> so<01:05:51.119> I class but I can pay to get tested so I class but
• I can pay to get tested so I can<01:05:51.359> Elevate<01:05:51.760> to<01:05:52.000>
• B Pathways works with women and men who are students, workers, and entrepreneurs to build sustainable
• B Pathways works with women and men who are students, workers, and entrepreneurs to build sustainable
• B Pathways works with women and men who are students, workers, and entrepreneurs to build sustainable

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The original award was for 1,047 students and a gross square foot of 134,821.
• The original award in FY20 was for 680 students at 87,035 gross square feet. gross square foot.
• This original award was for 1,100 students for a total of 120,587 gross square feet.
• The original award was for 127 students and 45,000 gross square feet.
• The goal of this test is to reduce the awarded design capacity from the current 396 students to 345 students

Transcript Highlights:

• However, student loan debt continues to be a significant barrier for workers and employers alike.
• For many students, the weight of student debt shapes every major decision after graduation: where to
• I actually really like this bill because I love to help the kids pay off the student loans.
• I actually really like this bill because I love to help the kids pay off the student loans.
• Students, including myself, I still have about $18,000 of student loan payments that I have to pay off

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our students test very well compared to other students across the country.
• Our students test very well compared to other students across the country.
• Our students test very well compared to other students across the country.
• <01:03:40.960> um our students um test very well um our students um test very well um compared
• <01:03:43.319> the compared to other students across the compared to other students across

Bills: HF1277, HF1006

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, property tax, abatement, land bank, redevelopment, political subdivision, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• they<00:36:22.320> are When species are tested, they are When species are tested, they
• The Canadians tested differently than the Americans tested.
• Association did their own testing. Association did their own testing.
• The Canadians tested differently bus.
• > tested.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resident students? resident students?
• local students?
• students? students?
• For students, faculty and >> for students?
• > students<03:24:24.239> online,<03:24:25.600> less have more students students

Keywords: 912, senate, all