Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Attorney General Jordan Shing on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General who offers comments
• on the backs of a 70-plus-year-old generator?
• We're just saying part of HEO needs to focus on generation.
• </c> generators and lots of money to upgrade generators and lots of money to upgrade grids<01:06:30.319
• Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Wah Pulk, on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General, our department

Bills: SB3326 , SB2911

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committees heard SB 3001 on artificial intelligence in a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Labor and Technology hearing. Testimony included support from the Department of Education and Google, comments from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office, and late opposition from Agentic LLC. The Attorney General raised constitutional and vagueness concerns and suggested clarifying amendments, while Google said the bill’s risk-based approach and proposed amendments could help establish industry-wide safety standards for minors. The committees recessed and then voted to pass SB 3001 with amendments, adopting DCCA/OCP recommendations on data minimization for minors and UDAP clarity, the Attorney General’s proposed clarifications and deletions, and Google’s nonconflicting amendments; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. The vote passed unanimously among members present, with some members excused. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then took up several previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2045 on combat sports passed with amendments reflecting DCCA and boxing commission recommendations, including clarifying the on-site medical professional requirement, reporting duties, promoter payment, removal of the combat sports registry and ambulance requirement, and other technical changes; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. SP 2347 on the residential landlord-tenant code passed with amendments striking landlord requirements so OCP could work on a multilingual tenant-rights notice, and SP 2495 on consumer protection passed with amendments requiring OCP to publish an annual report on potential code violations. SB 2777 on insurance was deferred to February 17, 2026 for further decision-making. At a later CPN decision-making agenda, SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons, passed with amendments clarifying the preamble, removing language about foreign artificial persons, and making other consistency and non-substantive changes; both effective dates were moved to January 1, 2027. SP 2033 on renewable energy also passed with amendments clarifying the definition of grid-ready homes, cost-sharing provisions, applicability to interconnecting customers, and safety/certification compliance, with the effective date deferred to July 1, 2050. In each case, the committee voted to adopt the recommendations without objections from members present. The committees also heard SB 3000 on insurance, which would authorize the Attorney General to bring civil actions to recover costs and losses tied to climate-attributable harm and future climate risk, including costs incurred by state insurance-related entities. The Insurance Division and Attorney General’s office offered comments seeking clarification and warning about redundancy, implementation issues, possible representation of private insurers, and concurrent litigation concerns. Supporters, including the Center for Climate Integrity, a resident testifier, Sierra Club, and Green America, argued the bill would help shift insurance costs to fossil fuel companies responsible for climate harms and address rising premiums and nonrenewals in Hawaii. Opponents, including the American Petroleum Institute, argued the bill singled out one industry, raised constitutional concerns, and should be deferred because related climate litigation is already pending. The transcript ends with the committee continuing testimony and discussion on SB 3000 and then moving into SB 3326 on energy, where the consumer advocate and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s proposed separation of generation from transmission and distribution, while the PUC stood on written testimony, Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported it, and Life of the Land raised concerns about assumptions and the need for more substance.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of future generation will be needed in that.
• Many of these large loads are coming with backup generation.
• It's a general concern about the cost of this transmission.
• I mean, there's 30 gigawatts of dispatchable generation in the interconnection queue, and most of it
• that is being utilized, how much of that is being used. generators, how many of those were private equity

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• > position</c> review of the agent general position review of the agent general position every<00:24:
• c> like</c> general uh after a period of time like general uh after a period of time like all<00:27:10.720
• </c> age of an ex of an agent general from 65 age of an ex of an agent general from 65 to<00:45:12.240
• So and one of them is an agent general.
• </c> of lieutenant colonel, colonel, general of lieutenant colonel, colonel, general officer.<01:32:11.199

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• of Chapter 66 of the General Laws, hereinafter it refers... ...to extend application of Chapter 66 of
• staff of the General Court pursuant to Part 1, Article 21 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
• of the Commonwealth... ...made by the General Court concerning the management and maintenance of its
• staff of the General Court pursuant to Part 1, Article 21 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
• and the Attorney General, violate Part 1, Article 30 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth?

Summary: The Senate began with ceremonial items, including the Pledge of Allegiance and a welcome to Tri-County High School’s championship football and boys’ cross-country teams. The chamber then adopted a resolution commending the town of Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for recognizing the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. Several local bills were taken up and passed to be enacted, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting the senior property tax deferral income threshold in Wellesley, amending the Hopedinton charter regarding library trustee appointment powers, and later engrossing bills affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Salem licensing board, and validating Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and, on committee recommendation, advanced two Cotuit Fire District bills to third reading and engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on two Senate orders seeking advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on pending initiative petitions. One order concerned a public records initiative that would extend public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends initiative that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney spoke in support of both orders, saying they were meant to inform the committee’s work and were not votes on the merits of the ballot questions. Both orders were adopted without objection. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft and amendment pending, and adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026. The session concluded with an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., which was adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we are here for the confirmation hearing of John Connolly for the position of Adjutant General
• However, the general—I can't remember what rank you said, but I assume it's a general—the general of
• That's not the role of the adjutant general.
• That's the role of the adjutant general, always has been the role of the adjutant general for 250 years
• of General John Conley to be the director of the Department of DEMA, we'll just shorten it, and the

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the funding also is outside of the general fund for general fund appropriations and spending
• A lot of the funding also is outside of the general fund for general fund appropriations and spending
• :10:07.920><c> for</c> outside of the general fund um for for outside of the general fund um for for
• ><00:10:47.839><c> of</c><00:10:48.399><c> Highway</c> general sense of the flow of Highway general sense
• ><c> the</c><00:23:11.720><c> state</c> form of General obligation of the state form of General obligation

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that Assembly Bill 494 be taken from its place on General File and be placed at the top of General
• Chief Clerk's desk and be placed at the top of general file for the purposes of amendment.
• at the top of general file for the purposes of amendment.
• of General File for the purposes of amendment.
• General File of the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:28.959><c> of</c> believe that for a power generator of believe that for a power generator
• <00:14:12.320><c> locality</c> generator of this size the locality generator of this size the locality
• would</c> generators of generators by lgus would generators of generators by lgus would allow<00:25:08.919
• /c> from backup generators were only 7% of from backup generators were only 7% of allowed<00:41:27.440
• the data centers or of the the impact of the data centers or of the backup<01:07:21.960><c> generators

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:07.920><c> generators</c> unequal treatment of generators unequal treatment of generators
• ><c> the</c><00:55:35.280><c> load</c> of the electricity generation, the load of the electricity generation
• of generation. >> Mr.
• of that lack of all those states because of that lack of generation.
• <c> the</c> the business of power generation in the the business of power generation in the state<02:

Committee: Joint Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• increases out of the general fund.
• ><c> reduction</c><00:16:02.160><c> of</c> replaces the general fund reduction of replaces the general
• And when we think of a generator, we may think of just a generator like we have at our fish house or
• The plain language of the generators.
• </c><02:21:58.960><c> of</c><02:21:59.200><c> how</c> the general overall principle of how the general

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, $30 million of that was dedicated general maintenance pool.
• </c><00:08:35.839><c> failed</c> Have any of the generators failed Have any of the generators failed
• Is there a life of the new generators?
• as often, obviously the life cycle of the generator is long.
• as often, obviously the life cycle of the generator is long.

Summary: The committee met for its fourth budget subreview session focused on personnel, public retirements, and finance. Members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard from Finance Cabinet staff on two main items: a $7.5 million request related to generator systems and a sheriff’s fees budget request. The generator request was described as a preventive, life-cycle replacement and capacity-enhancement effort for 26 generators serving Frankfort-area state buildings, intended to protect continuity of government and expand beyond basic emergency power to support continuity of services. Members asked detailed questions about how many generators would be replaced, the cost per unit, the scope of the study, and whether the work could be phased. Staff said the $7.5 million would cover a full evaluation and any resulting engineering/replacement work, but the exact number of replacements was not yet known. They estimated the initial study would cost about $500,000 to $750,000, would take six to nine months once funded, and would produce building-by-building recommendations. Staff also said typical generator life cycles vary widely, often around 15 to 20 years but sometimes longer depending on run hours and usage. The committee then reviewed sheriff’s fees, with the Division of Local Government explaining that the state reimburses counties for several statutory sheriff-related costs, especially court security, which accounts for more than 90% of the claims. Staff said the current budget base is about $20 million, while actual spending has been running above $23 million, leading to a $3.5 million growth request to align the base with projected spending and reduce the need for non-general fund expenditure (NGE) adjustments. Members asked about claim volume, county participation, reimbursement controls, and whether the request reflected growth or underfunding; staff said all 120 counties submit claims, volumes have been fairly steady, and reimbursements are governed by statute and signed monthly certifications. No votes were taken on the requests, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• General Cavoli, General Langley, I would like to hear your perspectives on the critical importance of
• Taylor to General Norrie, all of whom have done a fantastic job.
• General Langley and General Cavoli, thank you both for your many years of service to this country.
• General Cavoli, you serve as both the commander of the U.S. Army and the commander of the U.S.
• And speaking of General Eisenhower, I read that quote.

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: committee meeting, legislation, public testimony, SB4, HB2214, bipartisan support

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally speaking, the general had a couple of administrative ones, but of the ones that you might be
• Generally speaking, the general had a couple of administrative ones, but of the ones that you might be
• some of the ramifications of general under less general under honorable conditions.
• Chair. of general under less general under of general under less general under honorable<00:09:11.400
• :32.640><c> to</c> pool of potential adjutant generals to pool of potential adjutant generals to 06s,

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Now therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives that the General Assembly honors
• >> Madam Speaker, members and guests, I first met Major General Greg Knight in January of 2019.
• January of 2019. January of 2019.
• </c> agitant general. agitant general.
• Many of us in this body consider General Knight a friend, and a few of us have had the privilege of working

Transcript Highlights:

• , including $313 million of the State General Fund.
• This entire budget is made up of self-generated revenues.
• This entire budget is made up of self-generated revenues.
• The entire budget is made up of self-generated revenues.
• of $7.4 million. ...increase of $2 million in State General Fund and an increase of federal funding

Bills: HR159 , HR160 , HR161 , HR162 , HR163 , HR164 , HCR60 , HCR61 , HCR62 , HCR63 , HCR64 , HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , SB124 , SB399 , SB441 , SB447 , SB460 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB175 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB628 , HB786 , HB909 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1154 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1231 , HB1241 , SB244 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB193 , HB310 , HB635 , HB690 , HB961 , HB1003 , HB1146 , HB864 , HB977 , HB181 , HB31 , HB664 , HB615 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1236

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and received Senate messages, including several Senate bills and resolutions that were referred or laid over. The chamber also adopted a series of House resolutions honoring local organizations, commemorations, and community events, and referred one resolution on climate action to Natural Resources. Several Senate bills were read and referred to the appropriate committees, including measures on peer review confidentiality, higher education research security, pre-K program standards, police civil service, and a memorial highway designation. The main floor business was the budget. The House considered House Bill 1, the general appropriations bill, in Committee of the Whole and reviewed major funding levels and committee changes across state government. The bill included significant funding for early childhood education, higher education, TOPS, health care, corrections, public safety, transportation, and other agencies, along with adjustments tied to LASERS debt payoff, Medicaid, MFP, and various one-time or recurring items. Members heard brief questions on higher education funding and DOTD road needs, but no amendments were offered on the floor during the schedule-by-schedule review. HB 1 was reported from Committee of the Whole with amendments and then finally passed by a vote of 104 yeas. The House then took up House Bills 2 and 3, the capital outlay bill and the omnibus bond authorization act, both of which were explained as the financing measures for the capital program. HB 2 emphasized limited member project funding, reallocation of dormant projects, and bundling of projects to move them forward more efficiently; HB 3 authorized the bond sales needed to fund HB 2. Both bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The chamber also passed supplemental and fiscal bills including HB 312, HB 313, HB 383, HB 314, HCR 3, HB 983, and HB 1126, covering supplemental appropriations, treasury fund transfers, ancillary funds, hospital assessments, judiciary funding, and legislative expenses. The meeting ended with personal privileges, staff recognition, announcements, and adjournment to Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's just, I mean, what is the Attorney General, the auditor, the Secretary of State?
• the department, the attorney general, the state auditor, the secretary of state, head of the department
• , you know, the attorney general, the state auditor, the secretary of state, should they have the ability
• The giving of an FTE and allowing somebody to have, as Senator Castaneda mentioned, a general counsel
• And still leaving in line two at the very beginning, attorneys general instead of attorney generals.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities. Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we're going to take up the Office of the Attorney General in Article I.
• **Chair**: Presenting for the agency is the Attorney General of Texas. Welcome!
• Mine is more of a general question.
• I'm the Chief Financial Officer for the Office of the Attorney General.
• The Office of the Attorney General, in our appropriation request, did a method of finance swap from General

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Adjutant General for the State of Hawaii Department of Defense.
• Adjutant General for the State of Hawaii Department of Defense.
• :23.360><c> of</c><00:11:23.519><c> Hawaii</c> General for the State of Hawaii General for the State
• Stephen Logan has been confirmed as the Adjutant General of the Department of Defense. role of agitant
• general for the state of role of agitant general for the state of Hawaii.<00:12:42.560><c> After</c>

Summary: The Senate convened, took roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and spent much of the first portion of the meeting recognizing Education Week honorees. Senators introduced students and coaches from the LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition, including first-place Iolani School, second-place Kahalani High School, and Oahu teams placing third and fourth. The Senate also recognized 2025 Senate Youth Delegate Wilson Chow and thanked staff and community partners for supporting Education Week 2025. The chamber then moved to executive business, adopting standing committee reports 1210 through 1349 and confirming Governor’s Message No. 644, Steven Logan, as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense by unanimous consent. Senators spoke in support of Logan’s military and public safety experience, and he was confirmed with 23 ayes. The Senate also confirmed Governor’s Message No. 645, Mike Lambert, as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, with senators citing his HPD background, work on homelessness, vice, agricultural crimes, and school enforcement; the confirmation passed with 22 ayes. After the confirmations, the Senate recognized the newly appointed officials and their families and guests. The body then passed House Bill 991, Senate Draft 1, relating to criminal history record checks, on third reading by unanimous consent with 22 ayes. The session concluded with announcements, including a YWCA clothing drive, a personal letter from Representative Gene Ward announcing his resignation from the House effective at the end of the month due to health issues, and a motion to adjourn until Monday, March 24th at 11:30 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we are here for the confirmation hearing of John Connolly for the position of Adjutant General
• However, the general—I can't remember what rank you said, but I assume it's a general—the general of
• That's not the role of the adjutant general.
• That's the role of the adjutant general, always has been the role of the adjutant general for 250 years
• of General John Conley to be the director of the Department of DEMA, we'll just shorten it, and the

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaking of equalization, many of the school finance formulas in general education and outside of general
• total</c> 1984 the kind of General share of total 1984 the kind of General share of total School<00:
• Another kind of thing to take note of is this is only general school district general fund revenues,
• ><c> over</c> of general education Revenue over of general education Revenue over time<00:30:53.320><
• 8% of General education revenues roughly 8% of General education revenues and<00:31:29.720><c> the</

Committee: Senate Education Finance