Transcript Highlights:

• States Code, Section 1101(a)(15)(U).
• <01:54:43.920> section<01:54:44.400> 1101 title 8 United States code section 1101 title
• <01:54:54.800> section<01:54:55.280> 1101 title 8 United States code section 1101 title
• 8 United States code section 1101 A15U.
• <01:59:17.040> section to title 8 United States code section to title 8 United States code

Bills: HB1838, HB1870, HB2445, HB2540, HB1886, HB1839, HB2269, HB1939, HB2037, HB1635, HB1941, HB1576, HB2568, HB2267, HB2590, HB2266, HB2597, HB2499, HB2500, HB2502, HB2607, HB2137, HB2357, HB1782

Keywords: HB1838, Hawaii, Act 142, U visa, T visa, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, immigration certification, visa certification, Form I-918 Supplement B, Form I-914 Supplement B, noncitizen victims, crime victim, human trafficking, victim helpfulness, law enforcement certification, prosecutor certification, judicial review, circuit court, confidentiality

Summary: The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments. The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This transportation bill makes our transportation system smarter.
• The amendment is coded A22.
• The amendment is coded A22.
• The amendment is coded A26.
• The amendment is coded A38.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• my cell phone are both in area code 603. my cell phone are both in area code 603.
• Codings Technology Council. Codings Technology Council. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• license the transportation in between? license the transportation in between?
• Section four lists exceptions.
• Section four lists exceptions.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• election day and received within seven days would be counted the bill Updates California's elections code
• including by towing vehicles as shown by this UC Berkeley sign, which actually uses a different vehicle code
• section than we're even addressing.
• administered by the CPUC benefit disabled Californians with accessing telecommunications and wheelchair transportations
• So the code for ADUs can be confusing depending on the city. simple policy that recognizes that that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded.
• The amendment is coded A5.
• The amendment is coded A-16.
• As amended, the amendment is coded A-18.
• The amendment is coded A-7.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to include this second section, this update.
• But they are there by electric codes to turn the system off if there's a fire.
• The battery project has to be compliant with the county fire code.
• Do they follow the county fire code? They will follow the state law.
• The purple section of those bars indicates they are under review.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need one in that north-central section.
• And then that stuff, instead of taking it and transporting it into another location, then getting it
• Improvements made on homes also mean that they will be brought up to code compliance.
• We then can make sure that they're, since they have the increased code compliance and they're out of
• As you look literally in a 180-degree field of view out around us, the Florida building code works.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:25.680> it it'll just put in the wrong section it it'll just put in the wrong section
• really belongs in its own section really belongs in its own section evidence<00:03:27.519> of
• or an adjacent city or zip code.
• Then section three is replaced in the bill with sections three and four.
• Then section three is replaced in the bill with sections three and four.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Several hours of ethics and code study.
• I am pleased to present AB 769, a bill to modernize and clean up the section of the public resources
• code governing regional park districts, park and open space. districts and open space districts.
• This could be true depending on the zip code that you live in because maybe you have a zip code with
• This bill also adds a necessary provision. to the existing Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:53:48.560> and by the Committee on Transportation and by the Committee on Transportation
• <04:46:37.200> This Secretary of Transportation. This Secretary of Transportation.
• Department of Transportation in order to Department of Transportation in order to use<04:48:03.280>
• I support this of Transportation.
• Program. is and is included in section Program. is and is included in section six<05:15:39.280><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm going to have to either code.
• water, energy, and transportation. water, energy, and transportation.
• telecommunications and transportation telecommunications and transportation and<00:44:00.560>
• The organizations that are affected here, of course, are Section 6 Administration and Information, Section
• 48 Department of Health, Section 49 Department of Family Services, and Section 77 Enterprise Technology

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• building code council.
• approach to code revisions.
• a reason we have new codes.
• approach to code revisions.
• codes. So I'm unknown. Thanks. Okay. codes. So I'm unknown. Thanks. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard three resolutions first. STR 32/SR 18 asked the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was generally supportive of the intent, but the Correctional System Oversight Commission raised concerns about using work furlough for maintenance and emphasized that participants should be paid at least minimum wage, be able to meet restitution and support obligations, and not have their release timing affected. The measures were later recommended and adopted by both committees with no amendments in the joint portion. STR 199/SR 179 concerned increased caution regarding foreign infrastructure. There was no public testimony. In decision-making, the committees split the measures: STR 199 was deferred because of a similar measure, while SR 179 was passed with amendments. The amendments were described as clarifying Hawaii’s goals of self-sufficiency, local self-reliance, and self-determination, and encouraging scrutiny by departments and agencies to reduce dependence on imports. STR 231/SR 207, which would direct DOT to install electronic equipment at state airports and harbors to scan for illegal fireworks, drew mixed testimony, including support from the Oahu Filipino Community Council and comments from Matson Navigation. DOT said it supported the intent. The committees adopted amendments to address Matson’s concerns by moving inspections to a place outside the immediate loading and unloading area, and both committees passed the measures as amended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs committee then took up additional resolutions. STR 113/SR 94, designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025, received no testimony and was not discussed further. STR 204/SR 164, asking the Department of Law Enforcement for information on disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosive fireworks and similar hazardous materials, also drew no testimony in the excerpt. STR 107/SR 88, urging military branches in Hawaii to provide hurricane-resistant shelters for active and retired personnel and families, likewise received no testimony. STR 148/SR 119, supporting construction of a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor, drew broad support from industry, military, and state economic development representatives. STR 149/SR 120, creating a vegetation management working group to address wildfire risk, received extensive testimony in support and comments, with speakers from DCCA, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, IBW 1260, Hawaiʻi Telecom, and Kamehameha Schools discussing wildfire hazards, responsibility for vegetation near utility infrastructure, and the need to include workers and landowners in the process. STR 126/SR 105, calling for an incremental reduction in the number of inmates housed in private out-of-state facilities, prompted a lengthy discussion with DCR. The director said Hawaii’s out-of-state incarceration is driven by overcrowding and security needs, not a quota, described the per-person-per-day cost of CoreCivic housing, noted that Hawaii pays about $96 per inmate per day out of state versus about $37 in-state, and said the department is working on a master plan and future facility needs. The committee also discussed the need for a new prison and possibly a new jail. The excerpt ends with the committee still in discussion, without showing a final vote on STR 126/SR 105.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:15.440> to inmates upon release are transported to inmates upon release are transported
• as in that case she says Transportation as in that case she says the<01:12:26.600> parties<01
• constitution um under article 11 section constitution um under article 11 section one<01:20:39.480
• My recommendation is this: it is asking that the fire code clearly define stages of fire suppression
• My recommendation is this: it is asking that the fire code clearly define stages of fire suppression

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the House Tax and Transportation Committee substitute for House Bill 450 appropriates $1.2
• But on page 99 of your bill, section 29, in reading that, it's talking about the State Fair Commission
• House Bill 340 adds a new section to the DNA Identification Act.
• I The first thing that comes out under Section 1 is discrimination.
• President, I think that what we're reading in this particular bill with Section C or Item C on page 2

Transcript Highlights:

• Public notice on this hearing was given on March 26, 2025, according to Rule 4, Section 11A of the Texas
• House Bill 3506 seeks to repeal Chapter 132 of the National Resource Code and withdraw its membership
• Members, House Bill 3707 addresses the criminal code and how we can further address the problems of oilfield
• Uh, House Bill 3707 expands the definition of oilfield theft to include transporting petroleum without
• Yeah, that's something that would be really, really be in a different section of code, but as we're what

Transcript Highlights:

• The rule is from the Arizona Constitution, Article 4, Part 2, Section 13.
• to the Procurement Code.
• House Bill 2199, in meeting section 33-1409, and section 33-2124, relating to rental parks.
• House Bill 2199, amending sections 33-1409 and 33-2124, relating to rental parks.
• Sections 22-126, 22-127, and 22-128, relating to justices of the peace.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do know, for example, there's been major sections of NSF cut recently, for example. other agencies
• of Statute 135 41 created a new section of Statute 135 a365<01:03:43.160> asking<01:03:43.520
• We work hard to keep that green section; we work hard to keep every unit equally unhappy in the budget
• in order to ensure that accounts coding in order to ensure that that<01:26:39.000> happens<01
• expenses so I'll just transportation expenses so I'll just give<01:42:24.639> you<01:42:24.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2 provides detailed... on base funding changes.
• Please turn to section 3 on page 4. Thank you.
• DPS is also in the planning phase for the construction. section of two regional headquarters located
• Section 3 provides an overview of DPS's federal funds.
• Section five lists the agency's exceptional items not included in the board recommendations. totaling

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 18 passes out of here, it does go on to Senate Business and Transportation, which will be the ones
• Should this go to Tax, Business and Transportation? Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
• And it amends the tax code. And we're not getting that kind of review.
• And it amends the tax code, and we're not getting that kind of review.
• The Department of Transportation can use that for our roads. Thank you.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's two categories of transportation: there's special ed transportation and then just the regular
• transportation.
• two transportation and there's two categories<01:45:14.239> of<01:45:14.440> Transportation
• <01:45:15.080> there's categories of Transportation there's categories of Transportation there's
• > then<01:45:17.159> just special ed transportation and then just special ed transportation

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula. The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now. Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.